A DRINK driver who had downed a whisky to celebrate New Year was followed by police who suspected him of speeding and using his mobile phone at the wheel.

Bogdan Isache of London Road, Worcester, admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before city magistrates on Thursday. The 29-year-old was behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta when he was pulled over by police in Christchurch Road, Worcester on New Year's Day.

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After failing a roadside breath test, an evidential specimen at Worcester Police Station revealed 50mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35mcg.

Worcester News:

PREPARED: Isache had taken the time to prepare a letter which he read out in court, expressing his remorse 

 

No speeding charges or mobile phone offence charges were drawn up against the defendant. Isache, who had no previous convictions, said he realised his actions could potentially have 'endangered' himself and others, vowing never to repeat the same mistake.

Ralph Robyns-Landricombe, prosecuting, said it was around 1.20am when officers in an unmarked car were travelling along Sherriff Street in the direction of Tolladine Road. A vehicle in front of them caught their attention, an officer believing it was travelling in excess of the 30mph limit.

Worcester News:

GUILTY: Isache entered his guilty plea at the first time of asking and represented himself in court.

He said: "There were two occupants and he could see a mobile phone on the dashboard near the driver's seat which the driver appeared to be using."

Officers followed the car as it turned right onto Tolladine Road and the car 'appeared to accelerate while still in the 30'.

"The vehicle appeared to be travelling well in excess of 30mph" said the prosecutor.

Isache was pulled over, a PNC check revealing him to be the registered keeper of the car and insured to drive it.

When asked, the defendant confirmed he had had an alcoholic drink around midnight.

Representing himself, Isache said he had never before broken the law in the UK and he had been 'driving for years now' but accepted he had drunk one unit of whisky.

"I only did this once" he said, reading out a letter he had prepared in advance on his mobile phone.

"This was the only time I sat behind the wheel after drinking alcohol" he told the bench. "I'm ashamed of what I have done. I promise in front of the honourable judge this will be the only occasion when I have been so careless about other people and myself," he said.

Magistrates banned him from driving for 12 months, the minimum they could impose.

They offered him the drink driver's rehabilitation course. If completed successfully and at his own expense, this will reduce the disqualification by 12 weeks.

Isache was fined £300, reduced from £450 to reflect his early guilty plea. He must also pay court costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34.