Drink-driver loses licence after collision which caused Stratford traffic chaos

A WILMCOTE man was among the latest drivers to be banned from driving after being caught over the drink-drive limit by Warwickshire Police.

Nigel McCluskey, 58, of Swans Close, lost his licence for 12 months, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £70 costs and £48 victim surcharge after a hearing at Leamington Magistrates’ Court on Friday (19th January).

He was arrested on the afternoon of 1st December on Seven Meadows Road, Stratford, after police were called to a collision.

He failed a roadside breath test and was taken into custody where he was later charged with drink-driving.

The collision happened at about 2.40pm and caused traffic queues across town, with motorists reporting hour-long delays.

Also, in court on Friday was Alin Long Chimina, 32, of The Chase, Ickenham, Uxbridge, who was caught drink-driving on the B4100 at Lighthorne Heath.

He was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £135 costs and £400 victim surcharge after being arrested at 4.20am on 2nd December after his car was seen swerving across the road.

Alin failed a roadside breath test, recording 81mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35mg.

Among the other five drivers to appear at court last week was 61-year-old Makhan Nagra, of Coppice Road, Whitnash, who narrowly avoided prison after failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Magistrates gave him an eight-week prison sentence suspended for six months.

He was also given a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, disqualified from driving for 32 months, and ordered to pay £135 costs and £154 Victim Surcharge.

Makhan was arrested at 1.19am on 9th December on Clemens Street, Leamington, after police were called by CCTV operators concerned that a car was being driven down the High Street by a driver who may have been drinking.

Other drivers, arrested as part of Warwickshire Police’s festive drink- and drug-driving crackdown, include men from Coventry, Atherstone, Rugby and Peterborough.

Sgt Simon Dalby said “These drivers all now have criminal records and will see their car insurance costs increase significantly. They may not believe it, but it really could have been much worse. If one of these drivers had caused death by careless driving when under the influence of drink they could be facing life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a five-year driving ban and an extended retest before their licence is returned.”