Driver crashed through exit Highcross and hit post after
‘OCCASIONAL DRINKER’ THOUGHT HE WAS OKAY TO DRIVE HOME
A DRIVER was two-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit when he crashed through an exit barrier and a lamppost as he tried to negotiate his way out of Leicester’s Highcross shopping centre car park.
Vinay Jamnadas, 24, had been out for a meal with friends and had a few “impromptu” drinks in September, a court heard.
After hitting the barrier, the court heard he continued, “egged on” by others and then crashed into a lamppost.
A witness heard the loud bangs of the collisions and called the police, who detained Jamnadas at the scene a short time later.
He failed a breath test and officers then found he was carrying a small quantity of cocaine in a bag.
Jamnadas, of Cheltenham Road,
Beaumont Leys, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court to admit drink driving and possession of cocaine.
Prosecutor Neil Hollett told the court Jamnadas’ poor driving came to the attention of a resident of a flat overlooking the car park just before 10pm on Monday, September 14.
“The witness heard a bang coming from the direction of the John Lewis car park and, a few seconds later, a second bang,” Mr Hollett said.
“He looked out of his window and saw a VW Polo which had crashed.”
Police were called to the scene and found the defendant near the scene of the collision.
Mr Hollett said: “Officers spoke to him and he accepted he was the registered keeper of the car.”
He failed a roadside breath test and was taken into custody where he gave a further test reading of 90mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35mg.
“He was searched and a bag of cocaine was found,” Mr Hollett told the court.
Nav Ubhi-Tailor, representing Jamnadas, said: “He was out with friends on this evening to have a meal at a local pub. They were catching up after the lockdown.
“Having parked in the Highcross, he had an impromptu drink – a beer and two shorts with his meal.
“He did not intend to drive through the barrier. His foot slipped from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
“He immediately panicked at what had happened and drove on while being egged on by those in the car.
“While under this stress, he hit the street furniture. He was in a state of panic and this became worse when he was approached by the police officers.
“The bag found by the police contained remnants of cocaine and he had forgotten he had it.
“He’s a young man who lives at home with his family. He supports his elderly parents and he is a talented tattoo artist who hopes to start his own business.
“He’s an occasional drinker and doesn’t use drugs regularly.
“He felt he was okay to drive. This was a momentary lapse of rational thought – and he was being egged on by the people in the car. “However, in retrospect, he knows he should not have done and he is extremely embarrassed and remorseful.” Magistrates banned him from driving for 18 months and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work.
His disqualification period will be reduced by 18 weeks if he pays for and completes a drink driving awareness course. He was also told to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £95.
He did not intend to drive through the barrier. His foot slipped from the brake pedal to the accelerator Nav Ubhi-Tailor