Banned driver with history of drink driving caught in Mansfield
A banned driver with a history of drink driving was more than twice over the legal alcohol limit when he was caught in Mansfield, magistrates have heard.
Janek Vortinskis' car was pulled over on Ratcliffe Gate, in the early hours of June 9, after police saw him contravene the white line, prosecutor Neil Hollett said.
A test revealed he had 83 mcgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath, when the legal limit is 35 mcgs.
He told officers "it was stupid and he realised he should have walked home from his friend's house," after boozing since midday.
The court heard he was banned for drink driving for five years in 2014 and was still disqualified.
Abbie Edwards, mitigating, said Vortinskis was a "hard-working family man" who has worked as a packing supervisor since 2003.
"He accepts that he has made some bad decisions," she said. "He didn't appreciate that he had to complete an extended test. He believed that the disqualification had come to an end."
She said three of his previous convictions were over ten years old.
She said confusion with the DVLA over the status of his European driving licence meant that he thought he was insured.
Vortinskis, 42, of Smith Street, Mansfield, admitted drink driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Thursday.
He received a 44 month ban, but he was offered a rehabilitation course which will reduce the disqualification by 25 per cent if he completes it by March 2024.
He was fined £800 with an £80 surcharge and £85 court costs.