In a scene that blurred the lines between a child's playtime and criminal recklessness, a Nottinghamshire man has been arrested for drunk driving—not in a car, but in a bright pink children's toy.
Police officers on patrol in the early hours were confronted with the surreal sight of a fully-grown man, identified as 34-year-old Craig Harman, clumsily operating a Barbie Jammin' Jeep Power Wheel on a public road.
A Sugary Mission Takes a Sour Turn
The bizarre incident unfolded around 1:20 AM when Harman, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, decided his craving for a Slurpee frozen drink could not wait. With no conventional vehicle at his disposal, he allegedly commandeered his child's toy Jeep and embarked on his ill-advised journey.
The battery-powered toy, designed for children aged 3-7 years old, was visibly struggling under the weight of an adult occupant, moving at a painstakingly slow pace down the street.
Police Intervention and Arrest
Nottinghamshire Police officers quickly intercepted the slow-moving vehicle. Upon speaking to Harman, they immediately detected clear signs of intoxication. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
"This was without doubt one of the most unusual incidents I've ever attended as a police officer," stated a representative from the local force. "While it may sound humorous, the reality is that driving any vehicle on a public road while intoxicated is a serious offence and potentially very dangerous."
The Legal Gravity of a seemingly Absurd Act
Despite its comical appearance, the situation carries significant legal weight. UK law defines a motor vehicle as any mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads. The battery-powered Barbie Jeep falls squarely under this definition, making Harman subject to the same drink-driving laws as someone behind the wheel of a standard car.
Harman has since been released from police custody under investigation as inquiries into the strange event continue. This incident serves as a stark and strange reminder that no vehicle, regardless of its size or intended audience, is exempt from the rules of the road.
