“The sentence complies with the guidelines, so yes, he should have been spared jail”
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/item/excess-alcohol-driveattempt-to-drive-revised-2017/
The sentence does not comply with the guidelines for driving with excess alcohol. In fact it does not even comply with the law for that offence as the maximum is six months’ custody. Mr Patel received his 12 months suspended sentence for Dangerous Driving (for which the maximum is two years). Any sentence of two years or less can be suspended and that option is often used for a first time offender. He will also have to complete his unpaid work requirement. If he fails to do so, or commits any other offences within the suspension period it is almost certain that the suspended sentence will be enacted.
At the end of his disqualification period Mr Patel will have to apply for a new provisional licence and take an extended re-test (this is mandatory for those convicted of dangerous driving). Before the new licence is granted he will be contacted by the DVLA who may want him medically assessed as fit to drive. This is because he was convicted of driving with excess alcohol where the reading was more than 2.5 times the legal limit and so is considered a “high risk offender”.