Sunderland motorist smashed into six cars after drinking pal's home brew

Romeo Berinde, 39, of Kirkstone Avenue, Seaburn, Sunderland, smashed into six cars while trying to park his Skoda Octavia, a court heard.

A witness saw him smash his 2012-plate silver motor into the stationary vehicles in Quarry Street late on June 13 before police were called.

Berinde’s Saturday night session has landed him with an eight-week suspended prison sentence and a 32-month driving ban.

He gave a breath test reading of 133mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath and was arrested. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told the offence, combined with the high reading, meant he faced imprisonment of up to 26 weeks.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “It’s a Saturday night and there’s a lot of noise of a car revving and scrunching noises.

“A witness saw the defendant going backwards and forwards, scraping other cars. He went outside and said to him, ‘You’re drunk’.

“The witness then took the car keys and police were called. They found that six cars had been damaged during his drink-driving manoeuvres.

“It’s a high reading. It’s in the custody band.”

Annalisa Moscardini, defending Berinde, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, said: “He doesn’t have any previous convictions, either here or in Romania. He’s been here some time.

“He’s been to a friend’s house that night and has had some home-brewed alcohol and has made a foolish decision. He is very clearly remorseful

“He needs his driving licence for his job, although he is hoping to keep his employment, as other people can drive.

“He wants me to say to the court how sorry he is and that everyone gets compensated.

“He’s sorry for the cars that were damaged because of his actions.”

Magistrates suspended Berinde’s sentence for 12 months and ordered him to undertake 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

He must also complete the Drink Impaired Rehabilitation Programme and pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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