IPSWICH: A driver who collided with a car after he and three friends consumed eight litres of vodka between them is banned from the road today.

IPSWICH: A driver who collided with a car after he and three friends consumed eight litres of vodka between them is banned from the road today.

Modestas Mikuzis, of Fore Hamlet, Ipswich, was disqualified from driving for 20 months after admitting failing to provide a breath specimen for police. He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett told South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court that police were called to Greyfriars Road, Ipswich, after a collision at 1.40am on February 6.

Mikuzis, who was disqualified from driving in Lithuania in November last year due to a speeding offence, had been driving a Ford Escort van which had collided with a Honda Civic.

When police arrived they noticed the 22-year-old was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol. A roadside breath test gave a positive reading.

However, magistrates were told that when officers took Mikuzis to the police station he refused to provide a breath sample, stating he had a heart problem. A doctor was called to examine him and found Mikuzis had no such condition.

Mr Ablett said Mikuzis had been drinking with friends in Ipswich since 7pm on February 5. Between four of them they had polished off eight one-litre bottles of vodka.

When they had finished drinking Mikuzis decided to drive home in a friend's van to save some money, but had a crash on the way.

The court heard the collision occurred when Mikuzis turned his head to talk to a friend in the vehicle.

He later admitted he was banned in Lithuania and said there was no real reason why he had refused to take a breath test, although he still claimed to have a weak chest.

Through a Lithuanian interpreter, Mikuzis apologised for his actions and said: “I have been in this country for four years and it was the first time I had done this.

In addition to his driving ban, magistrates ordered Mikuzis to do 200 hours unpaid work and gave him an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

He was also fined a total of �225 for not having insurance or a driving licence.

In addition Mikuzis was ordered to pay �85 prosecution costs and a �15 victim surcharge.