A drink-drive groom who knocked down a friend hours before his wedding has been disqualified from driving.
James Nutbrown, 27, failed a roadside breath-test after the collision with the 47-year-old pedestrian – who coincidentally turned out to be a friend.
The injured man was not seriously hurt but Nutbrown, of Cliff Park Close, Peacehaven, had to be picked up from the cells by his best man just in time to get married.
The self-employed motor mechanic was banned from driving for 15 months after having 51mcg of alcohol to 100ml of breath, Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard. The legal limit is 30mcg.
The husband-to-be had been out drinking the night before his wedding and had driven his van the next morning after “feeling fine”.
The dad-of-one was driving along the A259 in Newhaven when a pedestrian, obscured by a lorry going in the opposite direction, stepped out in front of him at about 8am on August 17.
The 47-year-old man was injured at the junction of Meeching Road, near the Co-op, and taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
The driver was not blamed for the collision but he was arrested and taken into custody after failing a roadside breath test.
The best man collected the groom from the cells after police reportedly took pity on him and released him in time for the ceremony at midday.
The red-faced groom admitted the offence and pleaded guilty to driving while above the alcohol limit.
James Warren, defending, said Nutbrown had not been at fault despite being under the influence.
He said: “He has received a lot of problems because of this and his neighbours have stopped talking to him as a result of the press attention.
“As a self-employed motor mechanic being disqualified from driving will affect him enormously.”
He was also fined £250 and told to pay £85 court costs and £15 victim surcharge.
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