Boozy drink-driver is spared from prison after he collided into an elderly man

Derby Crown Court heard on Friday, July 13, how Constantin Marica, 31, of Catherine Street, Chesterfield, collided into the elderly man on Hawksley Avenue, Chesterfield, throwing him over the bonnet of the Vauxhall Insignia car.

Prosecuting solicitor Mark Fielding told a previous Chesterfield magistrates’ court hearing drunken Marica took the vehicle from a car valeting service where he was working and later provided a specimen showing he was nearly twice the drink-drive limit.

Mr Fielding said Marica took the vehicle to drive to buy more alcohol and it was the first time he had driven a car.

Marica mounted a pavement, according to Mr Fielding, and knocked into a 69-year-old man from behind who went over the bonnet and then he smashed into a road sign demolishing it.

The defendant, who is a Romanian national, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without the consent of the owner and driving it dangerously on May 22.

He also admitted exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit and admitted driving without insurance and without a licence.

The court heard Marica registered 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Defence solicitor Julie Page told the previous magistrates’ court hearing Marica is of previous good character and has expressed genuine remorse for his actions.

Marica was sentenced to 14 months of custody suspended for 24 months and he was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay compensation to the elderly collision victim as well as a victim surcharge to the court.

Marica was also disqualified from driving for two years.