§ Mark TamiTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many first time convictions for drink-driving resulted in custodial sentences in the last three years, broken down by police authority. [91568]
§ Hilary BennInformation on the number of first time convictions for drink-driving resulting in custodial sentences is not available.
The table provides information on the numbers of offenders that were sentenced for the first conviction of drink-driving in England and Wales from data samples in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and also the number who were given custodial or other sentences. Due to the small numbers in the samples sentenced to custody it is not possible to give a break down by Police Force Area.
Sentence Number of offenders Percentage Number of first time drink-drivers sentenced in a four week sentencing sample or 1998 Immediate custody 307 2.7 Community penalty 1,539 13.5 Fine 9,445 83.0 Other sentence 82 0.7 Total 11,373 100.0 Number of first time drink-drivers sentenced in a four week sentencing sample for 1999 Immediate custody 137 2.5 Community penalty 721 13.3 Fine 4,518 83.3 Other sentence 50 0.9 Total 5,426 100.0 Number of first time drink-drivers sentenced from April to June 2000 Immediate custody 140 2.4 Community penalty 830 14.3 Fine 4,803 82.9 Other sentence 24 0.4 Total 5,797 100.0