A suspected drink driver has been handed a suspended prison sentence and banned from driving after being arrested in Chippenham on Sunday (18 August).
At around 7.20pm, Wiltshire Police were contacted by a member of the public who reported a blue Mercedes being driven erratically in the town, veering into oncoming lanes and speeding.
The vehicle, driven by Mihai Bacar, 38, of Westbury Road, Walthamstow, was later found parked across two bays in the Halfords car park on Foundry Lane. Bacar was seen stumbling towards Tesco and was described by officers as unsteady on his feet.
When asked to provide a breath specimen, Bacar refused. He was arrested on suspicion of failing to provide, and further arrested for driving without a licence and without insurance.
He was later charged and pleaded guilty to the offences when he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court yesterday (19 August). Bacar was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from driving for 29 months and fined £154.
Neighbourhood Inspector Pete Foster praised the actions of the vigilant member of the public who made the initial report. He 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.”
Related article: Quick-thinking resident leads to drink drive arrest in Chippenham
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