The drink driver who hit six cars
is 35mcgs. South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told the offence, combined with the high reading, meant he faced imprisonment of up to 26 weeks.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “It’s a Saturday night and there’s a lot of noise of a car revving and scrunching noises.
“A witness saw the defendant going backwards and forwards, scraping other cars. He went outside and said to him, ‘You’re drunk’.
“The witness then took the car keys and police were called. They found that six cars had been damaged during his drink-driving manoeuvres. It’s a high reading. It’s in the custody band.”
Annalisa Moscardini, defending Berinde, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, said: “He doesn’t have any previous convictions, either here or in
Romania.
“He’s been to a friend’s house that night and has had some home-brewed alcohol and has made a foolish decision. He is very clearly remorseful
“He needs his driving licence for his job, although he is hoping to keep his employment, as other people can drive. He wants me to say to the court how sorry he is and that everyone gets compensated.
“He’s sorry for the cars that were damaged because of his actions.”
Magistrates suspended Berinde’s sentence for 12 months and ordered him to undertake 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.
He must also complete the Drink Impaired Rehabilitation Programme and pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.