Norwich man avoids jail for drink driving TWICE in five days

Tudor Lupas, 34, was slumped at the wheel almost four times the drink drive limit.

Less than a week later was back behind the wheel when he left another driver with serious injuries after crashing while drunk.

He was still subject to a 27-week suspended jail sentence for actual bodily harm at the time.

Lupas, who lives in west Norwich, appeared at Norwich Crown Court to be sentenced having previously admitted drink driving, failing to stop after an accident, refusing to provide a specimen and breach of his suspended sentence.

READ MORE: Norwich teen banned for drink driving is caught AGAIN

Sentencing him to six months suspended for two years, Recorder John Freeman told him he had been “very lucky” to narrowly avoid an immediate prison sentence. 

“I’m prepared to give you one last chance,” he said.

Lupas has been warned activation of his suspended sentence means he faces prison (Image: Newsquest)

The Romanian national was also banned from driving for four years and ordered he must sit an extended test before he is allowed back on the roads. 

“You were clearly a menace to other road users and I’m going to make an order to stop you,” said Recorder Freeman.  

The court was told police called by concerned members of the public had found Lupas asleep in his car with the engine running on May 6 last year.

He blew 130mg of alcohol during a roadside test - almost four times the drink drive limit of 35, but refused a breath test at the police station.

READ MORE: Norwich van owner denies being four times over limit

He was arrested again on May 11 after fleeing the scene after his car had struck another in Hellesdon leaving its driver with lacerations to his face.

Witnesses described him driving on the wrong side of the road and swerving erratically before the crash. He was found to be more than twice over the limit.

Recorder Freeman ordered he also be subject to an alcohol monitoring tag and undertake 240 hours unpaid work.