THE YOUNGEST county councillor in Lancashire today spoke of his drink driving shame - and vowed to prevent others from making the same mistake.
Coun Sean Serridge, who was one and a half times the limit when he was stopped by police, said he would start a campaign about the dangers of getting behind the wheel after drinking.
The 22-year-old, of The Moorlands, Bacup, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal limit at Rossendale Magistrates Court yesterday.
Magistrates imposed a 12 month driving ban and a £500 fine after hearing that he was pulled over in Rochdale Road, Bacup at about 11.20pm on Thursday, May, 18.
After the case, Coun Serridge, who represents Whitworth for Labour and works for Rossendale and Darwen MP, Janet Anderson, said it was a "stupid mistake."
But he added: "I now want to use what has been a really negative experience for me into a positive by raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of drink driving.
"I was nipping down to town to post some letters. I was devastated that I was over, if I had thought I was over I would never have driven."
"I had had a few drinks early on, at about eight or nine. I felt alright. I held my hands up and accepted the charge and will be learning from it," said the former Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupil.
"It will probably make it difficult getting to Preston (County Hall) for a while, but I've got no one else to blame but me."
Susan Campbell, prosecuting, said: "On May 18 officers were on Burnley Road in Bacup and saw a silver Vauxhall Corsa. It failed to stop at a stop sign at the junction with Market Street. It went onto to Rochdale Road and when the police indicated for it to stop, he did.
"He's a man of good character and co-operated fully with the police and did what was asked of him."
Jeremy, defending, Frian added: "He is one of the youngest councillors in the country if not the youngest and he is a role model.
"He is ashamed of what has happened as a result of his position and status and has to accept the penalty. He intends to use this incident to highlight the position he has put himself in and there's a lesson to be learnt to consume no alcohol when driving. "
Coun Serridge is the second councillor this week to be brought to court accused of drink driving.
Former Rossendale mayor Peter Norman Heyworth, 55, of Rochdale Road, Bacup is accused of having driven while over the limit on January 21.
His court case started on Monday, he denies the charge and will re-appear in front of Magistrates on August 23.
In May 2005 Coun Serridge made history when he was elected to the county council at the age of 21 making him the youngest county councillor.
He won his Whitworth seat with a majority of 309.
At the time of his success he said: "Being a young fresh face has certainly helped our campaign and I am pleased the younger generations will now have someone to represent their interests at county level."
Zoe Ward, a spokeswoman for the road safety charity Brake, said: "We are concerned that a figure of authority and a role model in the community should be sending out the right message to drivers.
"However we are pleased that Mr Serridge has learnt his lesson and is planning on raising awareness about the dangers of drink driving as it is extremely dangerous. We recommend all drivers never to drink and drive even a drop because you can never judge how it will affect you."
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