Lorry driver jailed after being caught more than three times over limit in Peterborough

Bernabe Martinez Sanchez, 51, of El Palamac, Murcia, Spain, was spotted by an eagle-eyed officer on patrol on Monday morning (7 December).

The officer saw the white Iveco articulated HGV being driven in thick fog along the westbound carriageway of the A47 Soke Parkway at just after 9am.

The lorry was pulled over and the officer noticed Martinez Sanchez, the driver and sole occupant of the van, was clearly drunk. He had glazed, bloodshot eyes and smelt heavily of alcohol.

The keys were removed from the vehicle’s ignition and the driver, who did not speak English, was initially confused at being asked to get out of the lorry.

Martinez Sanchez gave a roadside breath test reading of 155 micogrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

He was arrested and taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station, where he provided a further reading of 124 microgrammes of alcohol.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol.

Martinez Sanchez was remanded in custody and appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon (8 December) where he was handed eight weeks in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 34 months.

PC Shaz Ali, who investigated, said: “Having witnessed it first hand, the defendant’s driving on Monday morning was almost beyond belief. The consequences of his actions could have been so much worse had he not been spotted.

“The sentence imposed in this case should serve as a stark warning to others who get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs. It’s really not worth the risk.

“People can help us make the roads of Cambridgeshire safer for everyone by confidentially reporting others they suspect of driving while under the influence.”

The sentence comes as the force supports a national campaign cracking down on drink and drug drivers this December.

Claire Danks, whose daughter Lauren was killed by a speeding drink driver in 2016, is supporting the crackdown and warning that driving under the influence could destroy lives forever.

To report an incident of drink or drug driving, call 101 or 999 in an emergency. People can also report drink or drug driving via a dedicated, confidential hotline.

The hotline: 0800 032 0845 is available 24/7, and gives people the chance to help reduce the number of drink or drug drivers on the roads.

For more information about drink or drug driving, the law and the dangers it can cause, as well as the confidential hotline, visit the force's dedicated web page on driving under the influence.

MORE: Lorry driver accused of being more than three times over drink drive limit in Peterborough due in court