Say for instance the passenger was going to die unless you drove, and you were slightly over the limit, the court could be minded to award an conditional discharge.

In this case he possibly could get 12 months (reduced to 9 if the DDR course is offered) or 18 months (reduced to 14-ish with DDR). Senencing is not black and white though, so he needs to be going in knowing he minimum is going to be 12, rising to no more than 24.