Royal Navy bomb disposal expert caught drink-driving at McDonalds drive-through in Portsmouth

Lieutenant Matthew Bryers, second in command of his team, was stopped at the fast food chain in his 69-plate Jaguar F-Pace in Clement Attlee Way, in North Harbour, just after 5am on February 21. He was arrested at 5.54am.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard that Bryers, 34, had been at a function the night before and was getting food before flying back to Scotland from Southampton Airport.

A breath test revealed he had 79 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Bryers, who lives in Warrington with his wife and children, is stationed in Scotland where he helps command the bomb disposal unit for Scotland and northern England.

Bryers told police he thought the alcohol had gone through his system, and felt fine to drive.

He had driven less than a mile to McDonald’s from where he had been staying, and planned to drive around 20 miles to Southampton Airport.

Adrianne McLoughlin, mitigating, said: ‘He made full, frank admissions at the scene, was deeply apologetic.

‘He’d been out the previous evening, he had an early flight to get back to Scotland. (He believed it would) be out of his system.

‘He went to get some food for his flight. He’s currently a lieutenant in the navy.

‘He’s fully aware the impact this is going to have, not only on him but on him being able to fulfil his duties.’

District judge Gary Lucie said the 79 reading was the only aggravating factor but added: ‘This is going to hurt you the most.

‘I take into account your military good service, you pleaded guilty, it was early in the morning.’

Judge Lucie said Bryers drove ‘a relatively short distance’ before he was arrested.

Bryers, who admitted drink-driving, was banned from driving for 16 months, with a £94 victim surcharge and £85 costs to pay. If he completes a course his ban will last 12 months.

He now faces military sanctions and the conviction has stalled a current possible promotion.