A NOTTINGHAM coach driver who was caught over the drink-drive limit on a day trip to Alton Towers has been banned from the roads.
Wayne Denny, who worked for Silverdale Tours, was stopped by police in the theme park's car park.
They had been tipped off by someone who spotted him drinking during the day on Saturday, November 3, North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.
A breath test revealed 54 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, magistrates were told. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Denny was arrested at the scene, leaving scores of day-trippers stranded.
Alton Towers staff had to arrange alternative transport home for the group.
Denny, 43, of Beckley Road, Broxtowe Estate, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while over the drink-drive limit.
He was banned from the roads for 12 months and fined £265.
He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £27 victim surcharge.
The trip was organised by members of a social club at a Lenton firm and many staff had taken their families and children on along.
The group had been due to return from the Staffordshire park when police arrested Denny and another driver, who were about to drive the Silverdale Tours coach back to Nottingham.
Speaking to the Post after Denny's arrest, a father-of-two from Bestwood, who was on the trip with his children, aged four and seven, said: "This is one of the most shocking things I can imagine.
"It is incredibly appalling behaviour for anyone, especially coach drivers responsible for the safety of the public."
Staffordshire Police were called to Alton Towers at 8.15pm on November 3 after concerns were raised about the behaviour of the two coach drivers.
The other driver, a 65-year-old man from Derbyshire, was arrested but later released without charge.
After the arrests, Simon Read, transport manager for Silverdale Tours (Nottm) Ltd, of Little Tennis Street South, Sneinton, said: "We operate a zero tolerance towards alcohol and regularly perform random breath tests to eliminate this kind of behaviour."
No-one was available for comment at the company last night.
