Drink drivers banned for a total of 12 years

Speaking after the sentences Inspector Si Paull said “These drivers thought they could get away with drinking and driving.  They were not just over the limit.  In some cases they were 2 or 3 times over the limit and three drivers were involved in collisions putting themselves and other road users at risk.  Sadly as an officer I see at first hand the devastation that collisions can cause to families and that’s why we are committed to catching drink and drug drivers like these and putting them before the courts as soon as possible so that their licences can be removed.”

Four of the drivers appeared at Leamington Spa Magistrates court on 1 November including 36 year old Ion VIRLAN from Earl Street, Rugby who was sentenced to 60 hours of unpaid supervised work as part of a Community Order and banned from driving for 40 months for drink driving and driving without a licence.  He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge. He was arrested on Saturday 12 October in Paynes Lane, Rugby when officers attended due to a call from the public.  When they located the vehicle and stopped the driver, he failed a roadside breath test.

Tests after 28 year old Iount Stefan PASARICA from Delany Avenue, Wellesbourne was arrested found he was almost three times over the legal limit after crashing his car up a grass verge, hitting a lamppost and getting the car stuck in a drain in Chestnut Square, Wellesbourne  on 12 October.   He was sentenced to 80 hours unpaid work as part of a Community Order, banned from driving for 25 months for drink drinking.and ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Thirty-six year old Kristopher GOODRIDGE-SMITH from Drake Street, Coventry was arrested on Friday 11 October when he was involved in a two vehicle collision on the A46 near Stoneleigh.  Tests later found he was over twice the legal drink driving limit. He was sentenced to a Community Order with a 30 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and disqualified from driving for 36 months after appearing in court charged with drink driving.   He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Twenty-five year old Connor O’Grady from Keith Road, Leamington Spa explained to officers who could smell alcohol on his breath that he’d had a couple of drinks when they stopped his car in Beauchamp Avenue, Leamington Spa.   Tests after his arrest on 17 October found he was almost three times the legal limit. He was sentenced to 60 hours unpaid work as part of a Community Order and banned from driving for 24 months for drink driving.  His ban can be reduced by 25% if he satisfactorily completes an approved driver retraining course.  He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

At Cannock Magistrates Court on 4 November, the judge heard how 56 year old Christopher COOKE from Torrent Close, Wilnecote, Tamworth was arrested just after midnight on Friday 11 October at the Junction 10 M42 and A5 roundabout after the car he was driving collided with street furniture and a lorry.  On police arrival, he was identified as the driver and was found hiding in the hedge.  He smelt of alcohol but refused a breath test and was taken to hospital to be checked over as a precaution.  He was sentenced to a Community Order with a 20 day supervised Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and banned from driving for 24 months for Failing to provide a specimen for analysis.  His ban can be reduced by 25% if he satisfactorily completes an approved driver retraining course.  He was also ordered to pay £200 costs and £114 victim surcharge.