A lorry driver, who went on an alcohol-fuelled rampage through a UK holiday park has been jailed. Janis Rimovics, 50, was behind the wheel of a 44-tonne articulated lorry when he hit a parked car in Church Lane, Pagham on August 25.
He then drove into a nearby holiday park bustling with families and children on a busy Saturday evening during the summer holidays. Despite pedestrians being present, Rimovics continued to try to manoeuvre the lorry until members of the public convinced him to stop.
(Image: Sussex Police / SWNS)
He tried to reverse his vehicle out of a dead end but was unable to complete the manoeuvre, and then fell asleep in his cab. Officers took him into custody, where he provided a breath sample. Rimovics’ breath alcohol reading was 128 microgrammes (μg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35μg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
Officers discovered empty vodka bottles inside the cab of his HGV. Rimovis “reeked” of alcohol and the police were called. When officers arrived, they found Rimovics “too drunk to stand”.
Rimovics was arrested and charged with dangerous driving and driving over the alcohol limit. At Portsmouth Crown Court on October 18, he was sentenced to four months in prison. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.
(Image: Sussex Police / SWNS)
Speaking after the case, Acting Sergeant Steven Lambeth from the Roads Policing Unit said: “Rimovics was in charge of a large lorry while more than three times the legal alcohol limit. He was in no fit state to drive and was barely able to stand, let alone drive a vehicle, when he arrived in custody.
“Drink-driving is one of the main reasons why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads. Rimovics posed a serious risk not only to himself, but to every other road user, he is lucky not to have caused serious harm that night.
“We are pleased that a dangerous driver has been taken off our roads.”
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