Sentencing adjourned because interpreter was only booked for half a day
A factory worker who was almost three times the legal drink drive limit without a valid licence has been banned from the roads - but he’s not yet sure how long for.
Serghei Vataman, 32, pleaded guilty to three motoring charges - drink driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance - when he appeared in court on Wednesday (February 26).
However, sentencing was adjourned because his interpreter was only booked for half a day.
Boston Magistrates requested to see a pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service before they made their final judgment.
However, tthe Romanian interpreter was only available until midday, and without anyone to help the defendant discuss his current situation with officers, the court had no choice other than to put the case on hold.
Prosecutor Lottie Tyler told the court an off duty special constable witnessed Vataman’s Volvo V40 ‘swerving all over the road’ on the A16 at Boston at around 9pm on February 1.
“They also saw him not move off when the traffic light goes green,” she added.
Vataman gave a reading of 97 micrograms per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
The defendant was banned from the roads for 12 months after being found guilty of drink driving in 2020 and later appeared in court for driving whilst disqualified in 2021, for which he received a 12-month suspended prison sentence, the court was told.
Defending Vataman, of Wyberton Low Road, Boston, Phillipa Chatterton said her client got behind the wheel when messages to his partner didn’t receive a reply.
“He tried to contact his girlfriend, who suffers from epilepsy,” she explained.
“He expected her to answer and was concerned. He had previously found her having an epileptic fit.
“His first thought was he must help his girlfriend. It was a foolish decision as he’d drunk too much alcohol.”
Miss Chatterton added Vataman did have car insurance, but that was invalidated as the defendant - who has a Moldovan driving licence - did not renew his UK licence after his ban.
Attempts were made to extend the interpreter’s booking for the full day, but they already had prior a engagement booked by the time the request was made.
Magistrates adjourned the case until March 19.
Vataman was released on unconditional bail but handed an interim driving ban lasting for six months, or up until his he is sentenced.
