Head chef caught drink-driving on trip for a kebab

The head chef at the Bay Horse in Roughlee has been banned for drink driving after his car was seen 'veering from side to side' in the road in the early hours.
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Burnley magistrates heard how Laslo Warnusz (40) had gone for a kebab after some beers, but did not think he would be over the limit. He blew 41 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The court was told the driving ban would have a profound effect upon Warnusz and his job as he went out and sourced a lot of products for the restaurant himself to make sure they were top quality.

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The defendant, who is from Hungary, admitted driving with excess alcohol on Gisburn Road, Barrowford, on March 12th. Warnusz, from Fife Street, Barrowford, was banned for a year and fined £460, with £85 costs and a £46 victim surcharge.

Mark Williams (defending) said Warnusz had finished a 60-hour week at work, had a beer, went home, had possibly two small cans of beer and got in the bath to relax. He then decided to go and get a kebab.

The solicitor continued: “He felt he would be fine to drive and he drove what is a relatively short distance, from one side of Barrowford to the other. He doesn’t necessarily accept that he was veering from side to side.”

Mr Williams said the defendant, who had worked with the owner to build the Bay Horse up, would not lose his job, but the disqualification would make it difficult. He would have to get taxis to and from work.

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The solicitor went on: “He goes out and sources a lot of the produce himself, particularly with fresh fish and meat. He likes to see the produce and go out and buy it himself, to make sure he’s got the quality that the restaurant deserves.” Mr Williams added: “He apologises unconditionally for his error.”