Drink-driver stopped for FOURTH time

Burnley Magistrates’ Court was told how Jacek Stankiemicz (45) did not think what he was doing was serious because of previous sentences he had received.

Stankiemicz was stopped by police in the early hours after an officer had earlier seen him staggering around in the town centre. He was more than twice the legal limit.

The defendant, who is from Poland, admitted driving while disqualified, no insurance and drink driving, on March 14th, in Princess Way, Burnley.

Stankiemicz, of Towneley Street, Burnley, was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, was banned for five years and must pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Sentencing, District Judge James Clarke told Stankiemicz: “Be under no illusion. You are in danger of going to prison.”

He said he was suspending the sentence to allow the probation service to work with him to address his attitudes towards drinking and driving.

The district judge added: “There is logic behind my sentence. If you commit a further offence of excess alcohol or disqualified driving, you could receive a consecutive sentence of up to 11 months in jail.”

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson said Stankiemicz was banned for 40 months in March 2014 for his third excess alcohol offence.

David Lawson (defending) said Stankiemicz came to the United Kingdom 10 years ago.

The solicitor said a friend who had heart problems and felt unwell had asked the defendant to drive him home.