Involved in car crash after drink-driving

A motorist who was involved in a collision with another vehicle told a PSNI officer: 'I love drunk driving and I don't have a sense of fear of police'.

Vytiutas Papievis (28), of Main Street, Randalstown, was driving a Renault Clio around 7pm on January 16 this year at Blackrock Road near the town when the damage-only incident happened.

He had an alcohol/breath reading of 76, with the legal limit being 35, and the prosecutor said the defendant then made his “drunk driving” remark.

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A defence lawyer told Antrim Magistrates Court his client was out having a few drinks when he received a text from a woman and he took the vehicle which belonged to his friend who had fallen asleep.

The lawyer said Papievis thought he was ok to drive to go and see the woman.

Regarding the remark reported by a police officer, the lawyer said the defendant said he did not remember saying it but if he did he wished to apologise and was ashamed.

District Judge Liam McNally said he took into account the defendant’s clear record and his plea of guilty.

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However, he said it was a “bad case” of drink driving and said the comments Papievis made to the police officer did not assist his case.

Papievis pleaded guilty to charges of driving with excess alcohol; aggravated taking of a vehicle and absence of insurance and a driving licence.

He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined a total of £525.

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