Crashing company car into shop on day off costs Boston care worker driving licence and £1,000

A care worker who crashed a car into a shop and injured a member of the public before driving away has been banned from the roads and ordered to pay more than £1,000.

Pride Kabasa had been drinking on his day off before agreeing to give a colleague a lift in a company vehicle.

After the incident occurred the defendant gave police a breath test that was more than three times the legal drink-drive limit.

But as he was unable to provide a second reading the 36-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen when he appeared at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (January 8).

He also admitted failing to stop after a road accident.

“It was around 11pm when the defendant drove his Vauxhall Agila into Euro International on High Street in Boston,” said prosecutor Lottie Tyler, describing the incident which took place on November 15.

“CCTV saw the car drive fully onto the pavement, damaging a wall and injuring a member of the public.

“They were hit by debris and suffered lacerations to their leg.”

Ms Tyler added that Kabasa, of Elsham Terrace, Boston, failed a roadside breath test and at the police station gave a breath sample of 117 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg.

However, he was unable to offer a second sample within the time limit.

Defending 36-year-old Kabasa, Beris Brickles said his client ‘lost control’ of the car while driving.

“The vehicle he was driving was his employer’s vehicle,” he continued.

“He had not been working and decided to relax by drinking at home.

“A colleague didn’t have the benefit of a car and required a lift. He stupidly gave her a lift.

“He lost control, mounted the kerb and hit the weall of the shop. He didn’t know someone was injured. A brick struck the person as they were coming through the shop door.”

Mr Brickles added Kabasa ‘panicked’ and drove off.

He added that when it came to giving the second breath sample ‘anxiety took over’.

“This was a one-off and there’s no pattern of drink 9offences.”

Mr Brickles read out a statement provided by the defendant, in which he said his actions were ‘irresponsible’ and that he as ‘truly sorry’.

Magistrates banned Kabasa from driving for 28 months, which could be reduced by 28 weeks if he completed the drink drive rehabilitation scheme.

He was also fined £784 and ordered to pay a £314 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

The court was told Kabasa was waiting to find out whether his actions had cost him his job.