Drunk driver involved in near miss with police, court hears (From Redditch Advertiser)

Drunk driver involved in near miss with police, court hears

4:10pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News

TWO women police officers were startled when a car came swerving towards them just after midnight in Redditch town centre, a court was told.

When it showed no sign of stopping, Pc Smith drove the police car onto the kerb while Pc Williams was tempted to jump out, said Tim Sapwell, prosecuting.

"There was a near miss but it was not a deliberate attempt to ram the police car," he added. "The officers were able to turn round, follow the other car and arrest the driver."

Gediminas Skeivys was obviously drunk and admitted that he had consumed five or six Polish beers. His breath-alcohol reading was 101 microgrammes - nearly three times the limit.

Skeivys, aged 33, of Mount Pleasant, Redditch, was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. He was disqualified for three years.

Mr Sapwell said the officers were on patrol in Icknield Street on April 9 when they were confronted by the car driven by Skeivys. He admitted that he knew he was drunk when he started to drive.

Diljit Bachada, defending, said Skeivys have been in this country for six years and worked as an operator in a factory. He apologised and said he had no intention to hurt anybody. He had since sold his car.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC said Skeivys was very drunk but had endangered the life of two police officers. He must have known he was unfit to drive when he got into the car.