Top police work to track down motorhome drink-drive suspect

The combined efforts of Harrogate Response officers and our Force Control Room (FCR) ensured a motorhome drink-drive suspect was caught and charged to court.

At 8.35pm on Monday (9 June 2025), the officers were dispatched to a report at Wetherby Services involving an intoxicated man who had been refused service.

Witnesses said he then got behind the wheel of a white Fiat Swift motorhome which struck a bollard as it was driven off.

Following enquiries including the rapid analysis of CCTV and other technology by the FCR, the motorhome was eventually sighted by the officers at 8.53pm on the A61 heading towards Ripon where it was safely brought to a stop. 

They found two men and a woman inside the vehicle, but nobody was sat in the driver's seat.

One man initially claimed to have been the driver, however, officers were not satisfied with this account.

Thanks to their investigative mindset and thorough investigation, it was established that the other man had been driving the vehicle. 

He provided a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.

It transpired that he was also wanted on warrant after failing to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 16 July 2024 regarding a serious assault case.

In custody, the 32-year-old man from Newcastle provided an evidential breath specimen over the limit, and he was subsequently charged with numerous offences, including:

• Driving whilst over the prescribed alcohol limit
• Driving otherwise in accordance with a licence
• Failing to stop/report a road traffic collision
• Driving without due care and attention
• Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition having been involved in the collision with a bollard

Sergeant Jon Moss, from the Harrogate Response team, said: “This was an excellent example of proactive police work to keep the roads of our county safe.

“The officers showed great judgement by not taking information at face value to discover the identity of the true driver.

“The work of the Force Control Room was also crucial in coordinating resources and tracking the suspect vehicle.

“It was a great team effort all round.”

Court appearance: The defendant is due to appear at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on 26 June 2025, 10am, court room 1. The case reference number is 12NY0716425.