A MOTORIST who crashed into a wall while more than three times over the alcohol limit has been sentenced to 140 hours of community service and banned from driving for 3½ years.
Joao Paulo Betencourt De Jesus was driving along Mont des Longchamps in St Brelade on the afternoon of 11 February when he wrote off his black Suzuki Vitara.
The Magistrate’s Court heard that he left the vehicle embedded in the wall and walked home. St Peter Centenier Joao Camara, prosecuting, said that when police officers went to the 51-year-old’s home they found he was unable to walk in a straight line, even over a short distance, was unsteady on his feet and that his speech was slurred.
Mr Camara added: “He said he had called the police but there was no record of his call.”
A breath test gave a reading of 106 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, just over three times the legal maximum of 35 micrograms.
De Jesus pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to report an accident.
Advocate James Bell, defending, said De Jesus was “ashamed of what he did” but added: “Fortunately there were no passengers and no other vehicles were involved.”
He pointed out that De Jesus had no previous convictions and argued: “This incident is out of character.”
Relief Magistrate Peter Harris told him: “This could have been a lot worse. You hit a wall. You could have hit a person.”
The court also heard that De Jesus had failed to notify vehicle licensing authorities of a change in address.
As well as the community service order and the driving ban he was fined £250 for the failure to provide a new address.
He must also pass a driving test after the ban has elapsed before getting behind the wheel again.
