A construction worker who crashed into a parked car while he was more than seven times over the drink drive limit was banned from the road yesterday.
Tadeusz Kozlowski gave one of the highest readings ever recorded in Scotland despite not being breath tested until lunchtime the following day.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told Kozlowski had a “hard working, hard drinking” attitude to life and had crashed his van shortly before 11 am on a Monday morning.
Sheriff George Way banned Kozlowski from driving for 27 months and ordered him to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community.
Fiscal depute Christine Allan told the court: “At 10.50 am the witness’s family’s car was parked in their driveway when they heard a loud bang.
“They saw a silver Vauxhall Astra van had collided with the rear of their Toyota Avensis car. The front of the van was hard against the rear of the Toyota and was pushing it slowly towards the house.
“The van came to a stop prior to the Toyota making contact with the property. The accused then reversed off the driveway before parking at the roadside.
“The witness spoke to the accused and requested his details but there were communication difficulties. They formed the opinion he may be under the influence.
“The police arrived and traced the accused next to his van. They required him to provide a specimen of breath which was positive and they arrested him.”
The prosecutor told the court that it was around 1pm when a formal reading was taken and found to be between seven and eight times over the limit.
Kozlowski, 51, of Strathmartine Road, Dundee, admitted driving with excess alcohol in Richmond Court, Dundee, on July 20. His reading was 160/22 mics.
Solicitor Theo Finlay said: “He is married with two adult children. His wife and family reside in Poland and he has been here working since 2007.
“He will keep his job. He is a hard working and very hard drinking man. He understands this is an extremely serious matter.
“He has been in this country for 13 years and has never been in trouble before.”
Sheriff Way said: “This was the morning after the night before which must raise the spectre of him having a problem to address.”
