First offender banned after being caught during Northamptonshire's annual drink-drive campaign

Magistrates banned the first offender to appear in court after being caught by Northamptonshire's Christmas 2020 drink-driving campaign.

Bogdan Urlache, 36, of Ivy Road Road in Northampton was given a 12-month disqualification after admitting failing to give a breath specimen in Bridge Street in the town on December 12.

Wellingborough magistrates also ordered him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £180 in surcharges and costs.

This is the fourth year in a row Northamptonshire Police is taking the hard-line approach of naming and shaming drivers charged with drink-driving or driving under the influence of drugs as part of its annual festive road safety campaign.

PC Dave Lee from Northants' Safer Roads Team, said: “There is absolutely no excuse or circumstance that could ever justify drink or drug driving – it is exceptionally selfish and reckless. Not only are you risking your own life, but those of innocent road users.

“The majority of people know how dangerous it is to take the risk of driving under the influence and though we share this message every year, I guarantee there will be some who still choose to ignore it. Please don’t be one of these drivers.

“We will be out in force throughout December, ready and waiting to seek strong penalties for all those found to be offending. If you do not want a conviction for drink or drug-driving, please make sure your name is not included on our list.”

Since the launch of the campaign on December 1, officers have arrested 41 drivers across the county – 31 for driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol and 10 for driving while unfit through drugs. Among these were:

Tuesday, December 1:

■ Jake Tear, aged 19, of Croft Lane, Roade was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 22.

■ Paul Lucian Tamas, aged 35, of East Paddock, Northampton was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 22.

■ A 55-year-old woman from Wellingborough was arrested for failing to provide a specimen and has been released pending results of a blood test.

Wednesday, December 2:

■ Artur Belcerzak, aged 33, of Fieldfare Green, Luton was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 27.

■ Jamie Wingrove, aged 32, of Welsh Road West, Southam was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 6.

■ Dharmin Desai, aged 34, of Southgate Drive, Kettering was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 22.

■ A 19-year-old man from Grendon was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

■ A 30-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

■ A 26-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

Thursday, December 3:

■ A 37-year-old man from Kettering was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 29.

■ A 31-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

Friday, December 4:

■ Charlie Burlington, aged 22, of Cantle Close, Corby was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 29.

■ A 26-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

■ A 32-year-old man from Barton Seagrave was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

■ A 32-year-old woman from Kettering was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

Saturday, December 5:

■ Michael Gibbs, aged 44, of Grange Road, Northampton was charged with failing to provide a specimen and will appear at court on April 29.

■ Eelika Yardley, aged 34, of Parsons Piece, Banbury was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 29.

■ A 25-year-old man from Corby was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

Sunday, December 6:

■ Nicholas Belshaw, aged 30, of Talbot Road, Northampton was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 29.

■ Alexandru Berzan, aged 41, of Grendon Walk, Northampton was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on April 29.

■ Royce Joyce, aged 39, of Portland Place, Northampton was charged with drink-driving and will appear at court on May 4.

■ A 19-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.

■ A 20-year-old man from Ilford, Essex was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released pending results of a blood test.To report suspected drink or drug driving in confidence, call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615 or dial 101. In an emergency, call 999.