14 February 2015
Drink-driver
from Derby accused police of hiring 'wrong interpreter'
A
boozy driver accused police of hiring "the wrong interpreter" after
he crashed and staggered around a Derby street, magistrates heard.
Care
worker Jose Eaden failed to give a breath test after being arrested over the
accident at the junction of Burton Road and Horwood Avenue on December 6.
Lynne
Manning, prosecuting, told the court: "The officer described him as not
really listening to what was being said and appeared to be having difficulty
understanding.
"He
was arrested for refusing to provide a sample for analysis. He later stated the
wrong interpreter was being used and did not understand what was
happening."
An
18-month driving ban was imposed on Eaden of Westleigh Avenue, Derby. He was
initially charged with failing to provide a breath sample but this was replaced
with the offence of driving while unfit through drink, which he admitted.
An
interpreter in Malayamam – a language of Southern India – helped Eaden, 40,
during the hearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court. Eaden was fined
£320 with £85 prosecution costs and a £32 government surcharge.
A
probation report said Eaden did not fully understand the instructions at the
police station "because the interpreter used words not in the correct
dialect".
Keerat
Bains, mitigating, told the magistrates: "Although the wrong interpreter
was available at the police station, Mr Eaden stated that he clearly understood
what the requirements were. He simply wanted to plead guilty and take full
responsibility."
He
added: "His whole family is suffering because he is the only driver. He
takes his children to school by taxi and walks back home. He wishes to
apologise for the distress he has caused and is deeply remorseful."
The
court heard that the incident happened at 9.15pm when a doctor was in his car
in Horwood Avenue and was waiting to turn onto Burton Road. Eaden turned into
the avenue and struck the waiting car.
The
doctor got out to speak to Eaden, who was "swaying and staggering from
side to side". Miss Manning told the court: "His eyes were glazed and
blurry and he was mumbling. The doctor realised he was very drunk. He told him
he was drunk and was not allowed to drive and contacted the police.
"Whilst
waiting, the defendant said he had been to a party. Police spoke to him and
described him as extremely intoxicated. He was crying and wailing."
Eaden
told a probation officer that he had four pints of lager at a party and did not
intend to drive home. But he worried about leaving his car on the street
overnight and decided to drive it to the car park at the church hall, which was
nearby.
The
court heard that Eaden had never been in trouble with the police before.
No comments:
Post a Comment