Lorry driver found to be three times over the alcohol limit in Harwich

He has been banned from driving for four years

Author: Dan GoodingPublished 28th Apr 2021

A lorry driver who was found to be three times over the alcohol limit in Harwich has been jailed.

Robert Fego's lorry trailer had become unhitched near the Port on the 20th April - he'd wandered off to buy alcohol.

The 48-year-old from Hungary has been jailed for eight weeks and banned from driving for four years.

What happened at Harwich Port?

Officers were called to Europa Way, Harwich at around 3pm on 20 April this year to reports a lorry’s trailer had become unhitched on a roundabout after it had left Harwich Port.

It was reported the driver of the lorry had left the scene with members of the public and port security telling officers they had seen him going into a supermarket where he bought alcohol, before returning to his lorry.

Port security reported they had found him with a beer in his hand while the lorry had visible damage where the trailer had become unhitched.

Officers carried out a roadside breath test where the driver – 48 year-old Robert Fego – blew more than three times the legal drink drive limit.

Fego, a Hungarian national, was arrested and later charged with drink driving.

At Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 22 April he was convicted and jailed for eight weeks and disqualified from driving for four years.

Investigating officer PC Ryan Gilroy, from the Harwich Local Policing Team, said:

“As a lorry driver Robert Fego has a huge responsibility to ensure his vehicle is safe and that he is taking the greatest care on the road.

“When we located him, he was more than three times the legal drink driving limit which poses a clear danger to other road users.

“He had abandoned his unhitched trailer, instead going to buy alcohol.

“Fortunately his actions were reported to us by members of the public and the port’s security meaning we could respond quickly.

“He will now be off the roads for a significant period of time.”

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