Southsea school bus driver caught three times over drink-driving limit as he drove onto bus containing dozens of children

Nelam Singh, 53, of Exeter Road, Southsea, was caught by police three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Police said he was spotted by an off-duty officer stalking wildly in his Mercedes on the westbound M27 near Nursling at 6.30am on February 17.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard Singh blow a record of 101 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Hampshire Police discovered Singh was on his way to drive a school bus with more than 70 students on board.

On Tuesday he was banned from driving for two years, fined £180 in costs and surcharges and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

Speaking after the sentencing, Sergeant Richard Miell, of the Hampshire Roads Policing Unit, said: ‘Not only did Singh put himself and other road users at risk by choosing to take driving a car while impaired, he would also endanger the lives of a large number of school children and drive a bus while under the influence.

“Fortunately, the quick actions of one of our off-duty highway constables ensured that this did not happen.

“While the vast majority of drivers don’t drink and drive, it’s disappointing that some still do.

“The message is simple, it’s not worth the risk and can have very real and fatal consequences.”

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