Drink and drug drivers arrested, charged and sentenced

Inspector Si Paull said “This is a great time of year to meet up with friends you haven’t seen for a while but please before you go out, plan ahead how you are going to get home later.   Book a taxi, stay at a friends or go out within walking distance of home.  There are also some great non alcoholic beers and drinks available if you do need to drive.  There really is no excuse for drinking or taking drugs and driving.”

During December, we will be publicising as many of the arrests, charges and sentences as possible in an attempt to deter others from following in their footsteps.

This includes 51 year old Rafal Salamon from Allibone Close, Whitnash, Leamington Spa who failed a roadside breath test after a collision on Redland Road, Leamington Spa on Tuesday 12 November.   He pleaded guilty to drink driving and was banned from driving for 15 months and fined £440 at Leamington Magistrates Court on 29 November 2024.  He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £176 victim surcharge.  The ban can be reduced by a quarter if he satisfactorily completes an approved driving rehabilitation course.

The following three drivers were charged with drink driving and are due to appear at Leamington Magistrates Court on 18 December.

Nineteen year old Jack Taylor from Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield was arrested late at night on 30 November at McDonalds, Bassett Pole after crashing into a barrier and another car.

Thirty-four year old Neil Carter from Gavel Drive, Rugby was arrested at around 3am on 1 December on the M69 when he crashed into the central barrier and National Highways called the police.

Twenty-four year old Roshan Desai from Pinewood Close, Leicester was in a collision on the M42 northbound near junction 9 on 2 December.  Police were called by National Highways who were first on the scene.

Over the last week, there have also been plenty of arrests.

A 42 year old man from Leamington Spa was arrested at lunchtime on Sunday 1 December 2024 after police came across a collision on Europa Way, Warwick.  It’s alleged that the car he was driving drifted into the opposite carriageway and collided with another vehicle.   A member of the public pulled him from the driver’s seat and he was checked over by paramedics at the scene.  He provided a positive drug wipe for cannabis and was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.  He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A 46 year old man from Coleshill was arrested at 10.25am on 28 November after officers saw a white transit van reversing in Clinton Road Coleshill.  It is alleged that the driver had attempted to break into a flat.  Officers discovered the vehicle was on false plates and the driver was not insured or the registered keeper.  He was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, theft of motor vehicle, drugs possession of Class A and attempted burglary.  He has been released on conditional bail whilst the investigation continues.

A 27 year old man from Birmingham came to the attention of officers due to his manner of driving, on Royal Meadows Drive, Atherstone in the early hours of 2 December and they stopped him. He was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs, driving without insurance and without a licence. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.