Motorist handed ban after "stupid decision" to drink-drive home

Wednesday 31 May 2023

A drink-driver who was stopped after being spotted swerving backwards and forwards over the central line has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 16 months.

Cosmin Gabriel Marinescu (34), who was carrying his partner as a passenger in his white Kia Picanto at the time of the offence on the evening of 7 April, was also fined £1,800 following an appearance in the Magistrate's Court yesterday.

St. Helier Centenier Paul Huelin, prosecuting, said that States of Jersey Police officers stopped the car and noticed a strong smell of alcohol when they approached Marinescu.

A blood sample taken at police headquarters showed 127 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal maximum is 80 milligrams.

Advocate Greg Herold-Howes, defending, said Marinescu had made "a stupid decision" to drive while over the limit, but pointed out that he had only been planning to drive the short distance to his home in Green Street, and there had been no accident.

He added: "He is a man of good character. He was co-operative from the outset. He is at low risk of re-offending."

Magistrate Bridget Shaw accepted that Marinescu had no previous convictions, had admitted the offence early, and had been co-operative with police officers.

But she said the fact that he had had a passenger in the car made the offence more serious.

As well as the fine and the driving ban she ordered him to retake the driving test after the 16 months have elapsed.