Blind drink-driver followed lorry lights for 150 miles – before police spotted him

Blind drink-driver followed lorry lights for 150 miles – before police spotted him | Live News reporter Published July 31, 2026 10:27pm Updated July 31, 2026 10:29pm Anthony Hall was over the drink-drive limit when police noticed him ‘drifting’ on the motorway (Picture: Newsquest/SWNS) A blind man charged with drink driving travelled 150 miles through the night before police noticed him. Anthony Hall had taken his partner’s car without permission before setting off from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, despite being registered blind, unlicensed, and uninsured. The 49-year-old made his journey towards Cumbria while over the drink-drive limit by following the taillights of lorries. He was only spotted when he began drifting between two lanes on the motorway and towards the hard shoulder. Police saw him behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Meriva near Junction 44 at Carlisle at around 1.45am on June 29. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. A court heard it was ‘miraculous’ that nobody was killed or seriously injured during the two-hour motorway drive. A court heard how it was a ‘miracle’ Hall’s actions did not seriously hurt anyone (Picture: Newsquest/SWNS) When pulled over, Hall smelt of alcohol and admitted he had been drinking wine. He then stunned officers by revealing he had been blind for two years – and had navigated the motorway by following HGV lights. Hall appeared at Rickergate Magistrates’ Court in Carlisle, where he admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving, driving without a licence or insurance, and taking his partner’s car without consent. Prosecutor Suresh Basra said: ‘Mr Hall was a man of good character, and he has no previous convictions. ‘He is registered blind and does not have a driving licence, so he is not allowed to drive. ‘But he took the vehicle in question from his partner without her knowing. He has been banned from driving until his next court appearance (Picture: Newsquest/SWNS) ‘He drove 150 miles from Huddersfield.’ Police had been asked to look out for the car after it was reported missing. Mr Basra added that ‘the defendant was asked how he had managed to drive’, to which he explained his following of HGV lights. A breath test showed Hall, of Lees Close, Huddersfield, had 46mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg. Mr Basra described the offending as ‘prolonged and persistent’, adding that ‘there was a decision to ignore the rules of the road and risk danger to others’. ‘There was also the consumption of alcohol, and although there was no injury, it’s miraculous that Mr Hall has been so fortunate and that there was no injury or damage.’ Adele Graham, defending, said there were ‘a lot of circumstances’ magistrates would need to consider before sentencing, including Hall’s personal life and background. She asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Magistrates agreed and adjourned sentencing until September 8. Hall has been handed an interim driving ban until then. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.