Suspected Chippenham drink driver sentenced
It's after a car was stopped around 7.20pm on Sunday,
A suspected drink driver has received a suspended prison sentence and been disqualified from driving after being arrested in Chippenham on Sunday.
At around 7.20pm on Sunday, we were contacted by a member of the public who was concerned about a blue Mercedes in Chippenham which was being driven erratically, veering into opposite lanes and speeding.
The vehicle, being driven by Mihai Bacar, 38, of Westbury Road, Walthamstow, then turned into the Halfords car park in Foundry Lane, where it parked across two bays.
Bacar was then seen stumbling towards Tesco.
Officers attended the scene and Bacar, who was unsteady on his feet, refused to provide a breath specimen for analysis.
He was arrested on suspicion of failing to provide, and further arrested for driving without a license and without insurance.
He was charged with the offences, and pleaded guilty in Salisbury Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
He was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also disqualified from driving for a further 29 months, and fined £154.
Neighbourhood Inspector Pete Foster said: “The concerned actions of the member of the public who reported Bacar’s driving potentially saved lives – that’s how important it was.
“Because of their call, Bacar was prevented from getting back behind the wheel of his vehicle when potentially over the drink drive limit.
“Being under the influence of alcohol while driving can have lifelong consequences. It slows your reaction time significantly, impairs your judgement, coordination and concentration, putting yourself and other road users at risk.
“It is one of the fatal five offences and we are determined to get the message across that there’s no excuse for it.”