DRINK-DRIVING CHEF NEARLY CRASHED INTO CARS THREE TIMES
Court told police officers following motorist described his driving as ‘shocking’
CHEF Javier Mozo was caught driving while over the alcohol limit after drinking with his colleagues.
The 37-year-old was stopped after police spotted him swerving across the road in Hanley.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard he almost collided with parked cars three times.
Prosecutor Emily Pybus said: “At approximately 1.45am, officers became aware of the defendant’s vehicle driving along Leek Road in Hanley. Officers described his driving as shocking.
“He was swerving between lanes on a single carriageway road. On three occasions, he almost collided with stationary vehicles.
“Officers followed him towards Hanley town centre. The vehicle veered into the wrong side of the road again.
“At this point, officers illuminated their blue lights and the vehicle came to a stop.”
Police said Mozo, who works as a chef at Trentham, ‘seemed to be intoxicated’.
He failed a roadside breath test and went on to give an alcohol reading of 85 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Mozo, of Fairfax Street, Birches Head, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while above the alcohol limit. He has no previous convictions.
Iain Haley, mitigating, said the incident took place after Mozo had a ‘verbal altercation’ with his expartner, with whom he has a son.
“He was upset about the altercation. He felt he couldn’t do right for doing wrong,” Mr Haley said.
“He went back to be with his friends he had worked with and he accepts he had taken alcohol.
“With the benefit of hindsight, he concedes he should not have driven. At the time he felt OK to drive, he did not feel impaired.
“He’s a hard-working man who works long hours. The knock-on effects of this offence are going to affect him greatly.”
Magistrates imposed a £576 fine and disqualified Mozo from driving for 20 months, which will be reduced if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
He must also pay £193 in court costs and charges.