A DRIVER is today off the roads after he received a 20-month ban for getting behind the wheel while over the alcohol limit.

A DRIVER is today off the roads after he received a 20-month ban for getting behind the wheel while over the alcohol limit.

Catalin Ivanciu, 29, of Wolsey Gardens, Felixstowe, apologised to the court after he admitted he was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident following a crash on November 9.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that Ivanciu drove his car the wrong way down a one-way street in Felixstowe and ended up crashing into the front window of The Baker's Oven in Hamilton Road at 1.55am.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said Ivanciu chipped a bollard as he was driving in the wrong direction.

After smashing into the shop window, he then carried on, narrowly missing another vehicle, before being stopped by police.

A breath test revealed he had 84mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

Ms Small said that Ivanciu had consumed three glasses of wine and a glass of champagne at home. It was when he was at a bar later on and spotted underage youths attempting to buy alcohol that he got in a car to follow them.

Representing himself, Ivanciu, who has been in England for a year and a half, said: “I do not normally drink. It is the first time this has happened. We were celebrating a special day in Romania. I know I did something wrong. I'm very sorry.”

District judge David Cooper gave him a fine of £180 for driving with excess alcohol plus a disqualification from driving for 20 months. He was also fined £180 for failing to stop, as well as £65 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

His disqualification period will be reduced if he completes a special driver's awareness course.

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