Drink-driver who put hole in 15th century building is spared jail term
A drink driver smashes a large hole in a stone wall - 15 century outbuilding, Stanstead. Picture Contributed - Credit: Staff
A drink-driver who was more than four times the alcohol limit when his car ploughed into a 15th century building has been spared prison.
A drink driver smashes a large hole in a stone wall - 15 century outbuilding, Stanstead. Picture Contributed - Credit: Staff
Dmitrijus Malachovskis had previously pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich to driving with excess alcohol when he left a 'large hole' in the historic property near Sudbury on February 7.
When the 32-year-old returned to court for his sentencing he was given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
The Lithuanian-national was also disqualified from driving for 32 months.
He must also carry out 120 hours' unpaid work.
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In addition, magistrates ordered Malachovskis to pay £115 to the victims' fund and a further £85 in costs.
At an earlier hearing the court was told a breath test taken several hours after the crash in Lower Street, Stanstead, showed Malachovskis had 144 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.
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Magistrates heard that at around 2pm on February 7 Julie Parrott, who owns the property, noticed Malachovskis in a Toyota Avensis parked close to her home. He was asleep and had to be woken up.
Malachovskis appeared groggy and disorientated.
Mrs Harper said he had parked inappropriately and that is why he had to be woken up.
Malachovskis, of Wenman Court, Norwich, started the Toyota and drove off towards Sudbury.
However, about 90 minutes later Mrs Parrott heard a loud bang outside her home.
When she looked outside the Toyota was buried in the brickwork of a 15th Century outbuilding with Malachovskis still in the car.
Both airbags had been deployed.
Police arrived at around 4.10pm and Malachovskis, who was out of the vehicle, admitted he had been driving it.
The court was told Malachovskis told police he had been drinking alcohol for most of the day and was an idiot for driving the car.
After supplying a positive roadside breath test Malachovskis was arrested.
He was originally taken to hospital. When he was released he was taken to a police investigation centre and four hours after arrest he was breath-tested.
