Drink-driver was over limit as he went shopping

A DRIVER who popped out for some food was at double the drink-drive alcohol limit when he was stopped by police.

Officers pulled over construction worker Ireneusz Sibicki in a works minibus after he swerved and straggled two lanes.

When they spoke to the 53-year-old, of Baden Powell Road, Sneinton, his eyes were glazed and he was unsteady on his feet.

A breath test at the roadside revealed he had 84 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which is nearly two-and-a-half times above the legal limit.

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At his first appearance at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Sibicki pleaded guilty to drink-driving in Alfreton Road, Radford, on December 10.

He had been drinking beer at home that evening but realised he did not have any food and ventured out in the minibus to a Polish supermarket in Alfreton Road. He was spotted driving badly by police on his way home.

He was arrested and taken to a police station where two more breath samples confirmed the roadside reading.

Magistrates gave Sibicki a £250 fine and 21-month driving ban. He will pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Randheer Johal told the court in mitigation for his Polish-speaking client: "He isn't somebody who usually drives but in relation to this particular offence it was a Saturday. He works six days a week doing construction work.

"He decided to use the work vehicle after he consumed about two cans of beer at home. "He accepts that he may have had a drink or two prior to that which is reflected by the reading [the breath test].

"Once he got home he says he did not have any food at home and intended to go to a Polish supermarket on Alfreton Road. It was on his return from that journey that he was stopped by the police. He fully cooperated with police.

"He has been in this country for two years. His purpose was coming here for work purposes and to send money back home. He has a wife and two children back home."

ALGIS Dusiavicius, 35, of Woodward Street, The Meadows, was fined £175 and banned from driving for 12 months after admitting drink-driving in a van in Colwick Road, Nottingham, on December 12. He had 60 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

He has to pay court costs of £80 and a victim surcharge of £15.

No separate penalty was imposed on charges of using a Citroen Combo van without the relevant insurance on December 12 and failing to surrender to custody at Nottingham Magsitrates' Court on December 29. He admitted those offences on December 31.