Booze-fuelled lorry driver caught parked on M1 in South Yorkshire with flammable cargo

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court – sitting at Sheffield Crown Court – heard on April 16 how Denis Petrocencov, aged 35, of no fixed abode, was discovered illegally parked on the hard shoulder of the M1 at Junction 36 at Birdwell, Barnsley, and was found to be over four-times the drink-drive limit.

Susan Fisher, prosecuting, said police spotted Petrocencov’s articulated lorry parked on the southbound carriageway about 11.30pm, on April 14, and he showed signs of intoxication so he was breath-tested.

Ms Fisher added: “Officers approached the vehicle which was a single-decker trailer loaded with flammable liquids.”

Petrocencov told police he had consumed alcohol the night before he had picked up the vehicle and he had been driving during the day before he parked to sleep for the night and it was then he started drinking whiskey.

Petrocencov pleaded guilty to being in charge of a heavy goods vehicle after exceeding the legal limit for alcohol. He registered 142 microgrammes of alcohol n 100 millilitres of breath when the limit is 35 microgrammes.

The defendant also admitted parking on the hard shoulder against regulations.

David Lawson, defending, said Petrocencov who is a married Lithuanian man with a daughter knows he will lose his job.

Mr Lawson added Petrocencov accepts he has made a potentially very dangerous mistake.

Petrocencov was sentenced to 14 days of custody suspended for 12 months. He was disqualified from driving for nine months and must pay £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.