Spalding drink driver with no licence had ‘moment of madness’ which led to him crashing into a house

A drink driver with no licence had a “moment of madness” that led to him crashing into a house.

Florin Popesc, 21, crashed into a house in Hereward Road, Spalding, on November 30 and caused damage to the fence, outside walls and the living room wall.

When police officers arrived at the incident, a roadside breath test recorded 85 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

After Popesc was taken to the police station, a second test of 61mcg was given several hours later.

District Judge Peter Veits said the incident was a “crazy decision fuelled by alcohol”, when Popesc appeared at Boston Magistrates Court on Wednesday (December 20).

Prosecutor Alison Mcllroy informed the court of Popesc’s actions in the lead up to the incident.

She told the court earlier that day he shared a bottle of wine at his home with his friend before walking to his friend’s house to drink a bottle of Jack Daniels.

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Then “something vested them to decide to buy another bottle of Jack Daniels”, the prosecutor added.

Popesc, with no legal driving licence, offered to drive the car which he later crashed.

In defence, Philippa Chatterton said that Popesc had fully accepted his “moment of madness” and “stupidity” and was thankful no-one was injured.

Miss Chatterton added the defendant received a ‘fright’ when the owner of the property he had hit confronted him with a ‘metal bar’.

Following the defence, Judge Veits said: “To think you needed more alcohol from what you had already drank and make the stupid decision to go into a car to get it.

“Then you decided it was a good time to learn to drive. You are lucky you didn’t kill someone.”

However, Judge Veits did acknowledge Popesc’s remorse.

In court, factory worker Popesc, of Queen’s Road, Spalding, pleaded guilty to three charges, including driving over the limit, using a vehicle without insurance and driving without insurance.

He was ordered to pay £400 in fines, £300 in compensation, £160 in surcharges and £85 in prosecution costs.

He was also banned from driving for 20 months, but this would be reduced if he successfully completed the drink driving course.