Drunk driver four times over the limit escapes jail

The driver of a 44-tonne artic has narrowly avoided jail after he admitted drink and dangerous driving on the M25 and M11.

Chelmsford Magistrates heard how Gheorghe-daniel Cristea, 34, was witnessed driving in a dangerous manner between junctions 28 and 27 of the M25 on 14 November 2023.

His vehicle was spotted braking hard at the exit for the M11 and he almost collided with the central reservation before heading northbound.

Essex police said its officers tried to stop the driver by initiating blue lights and a matrix board in the rear of the police car reading “Follow me”, but Cristea failed to notice for half a mile, before he eventually came to a stop on the hard shoulder.

As officers approached the cab, they witnessed the driver slumped over the wheel and an almost empty bottle of whiskey in the rear of the cab. A roadside test found him to be four times over the limit.

Sergeant David Martin said: “Cristea’s actions were dangerous and part of a very bad decision that risked his and other road users’ safety. “It was dangerous and fell far below the actions of a careful and competent driver.”

Cristea was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, disqualified for three years and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.