Drink drivers banned after being spotted by officers

Two drink drivers have been banned after one crashed into a parked car and the other clipped a curb in front of an off-duty officer.

Edgars Urbanavicius, 52, was driving a silver Volvo in Paston Ridings, Peterborough, when an officer in an unmarked car saw him collide with a traffic calming bollard on 24 November.

The officer activated the blue lights and siren on the vehicle, but Urbanavicius continued to drive at very low speed with sparks coming from a front wheel.

He turned into the Pittneys, where he reversed into a parked car, before both Urbanavicius and the officer got out of their vehicles.

The officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol on Urbanavicius’ breath, and he was unsteady on his feet.

He was arrested and taken to Peterborough City Hospital as a precaution due to a cut to his forehead.

Whilst there, he failed a breath test – returning a reading of 103. Nearly three times the drink drive limit. He then refused to provide the necessary urine sample.

In a separate case, on 9 December, Leszek Glozak, 58, was spotted driving erratically in Chapnall Road, Wisbech, by an off-duty officer.

The officer saw him swerve his car, before he clipped a curb. When he approached Glozak and spoke to him he could smell alcohol on his breath.

Glozak became irate when he realised who he was. The officer managed to stop him from driving off and called for back-up due to his behaviour.

When uniformed officers arrived he failed to provide a specimen of breath and was arrested.

He later provided a reading of 103 at a police station.

Urbanavicius, of Pittneys, Paston, Peterborough, admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis, as well as driving without a licence or insurance.

On Friday (13 December) at Peterborough Magistrates' Court he was disqualified from driving for three years and given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for a year.

On Monday (16 December) at the same court Glozak, of Chapnall Road, Wisbech, was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work after admitting drink driving.

The cases come as the force continues its festive crackdown on drink and drug drivers, with a warning that doing so could destroy lives.

Throughout December, officers are carrying out roadside checks across the county and people are also being reminded of the 24/7 confidential, dedicated hotline to report drink and drug drivers on 0800 032 0845. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.