A RESTAURANT worker who caused an accident while drink driving has been banned from the road for two years.
Appearing in Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Magistrates Court, Adam Michal Czerwinski, 37, of Hoole Road, Chester, admitted a charge of driving while impaired on July 15.
Prosecuting, Jo Lazzari said the complainant, Mr Jones, had been in Hoole Road sitting in his car, which was stationary, when he heard a loud bang and his vehicle jolted forward.
She said: “He saw the defendant driving past, so he followed him and flashed his lights.
“They were unable to communicate due to language difficulties and the complainant could smell alcohol on his breath and so called police.
“The defendant failed the breath test. The level was 111 microgrammes, with the limit being 35.
“He told police he had recently bought the vehicle. He had been drinking heavily the night before.”
She added: “He thought the vehicle he hit was unoccupied, he had intended stopping but wanted to do so in a safer place. He has a Polish driving licence.
“I have been told there was £400 of damage done to the vehicle.”
Defending, Peter Barnett said his client had no intention of driving to work that particular morning.
“He had drunk a large quantity of vodka the night before,” he said. “He got a call from the agency asking him to work.
“He was aware that if he didn’t take up the employment he would be taken off the books.
“In the circumstances he attempted to drive the distance to work but drove no more than 100 yards. He advises he did not understand the British insurance system. He only bought the vehicle a short time prior to this.
“He is aware of the issues regarding drinking and has been working with Aqua House. He has tried to curb his drinking over the past few months but on this occasion there was a trigger.
“He had fallen out with his partner.”
Mr Barnett added: “It is a matter for you if you want to compensate the insurance company. I ask you to take his financial circumstances into account. My client works in a pizza parlour.”
In sentencing, presiding magistrate Susan Campbell imposed a generic community order with unpaid work of 200 hours, reduced from 300 hours for his guilty plea.
She said: “You will have to pay compensation of £400 and costs of £85. You will be disqualified from driving for 24 months.”