Man jailed for drink-driving days after he was caught drunk behind the wheel

Paulius Burlingaitis, 24, was arrested at 8.10pm on 21 December after officers stopped his car in Peglar Way, Crawley, when checks on the police database suggested it was being driven without insurance.

When they pulled the car over they found Burlingaitis, of Guildford Road, Horsham, drunk at the wheel.

On 18 December Burlingaitis had appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court charged with drink-driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He had been ordered to appear there after officers who stopped his car because it was being driven without lights in Haslett Avenue East, Crawley, on 19 October found he was committing a string of offences.

He admitted all of the offences in court on 18 December and was banned from driving for three years, fined £500 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Three days later Burlingaitis was found driving drunk again.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 29 January for the second set of offences and was jailed for 20 weeks and banned from the roads for four years.

Burlingaitis is the first person to be jailed after being arrested as part of Sussex Police’s crackdown on drink and drug drivers in December last year.

Chief inspector Natalie Moloney said: “The behaviour of Burlingaitis is exactly the type that we are trying to tackle every day.

“Not only did he drive drunk and without a licence or insurance but despite magistrates banning him the road he was back at it again within days.

“He can spend the next few months in prison thinking about what he has done and hopefully the message will sink in that not only is drink-driving dangerous but it could cost you your liberty.”

Ian Alderson, 55, of Updown Hill, Haywards Heath, pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

Daniel Berry, 22, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and using a motorcycle without a helmet. He was banned from the roads for 16 months, fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Robin Neal, 41, of Marine Gate, Brighton, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and assaulting a police officer. He was banned from the roads for four years, given an eight-week suspended prison sentence and made the subject of an 18-month supervision order and a four-month curfew. He was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

Maria Hadlow, 48, of Wilmshurst Cottages, Punnett’s Town, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She was banned from the roads for 40 months, fined £600 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

John Smith, 63, of Barley Mow Lane, Punnett’s Town, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was banned from the roads for 18 months, fined £150 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Graham Covey, 61, of Guildford Road, Horsham, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was banned from the roads for 24 months, fined £220 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £22 victim surcharge.

Stacey Nye, 29, of Barn Rise, Seaford, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She was banned from the roads for 24 months, made the subject of a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Amanda Banister, 37, of Ersham Road, Hailsham, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She was banned from the roads for 20 months, fined £110 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

James Lowe, 19, of Friars Orchard, Leatherhead, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was banned from the roads for 17 months, fined £110 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Edwardo Daniele, 36, of Offington Drive, Worthing, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was banned from the roads for 17 months, fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Jason Brown, 33, of London Road, Mitcham, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving a vehicle without insurance. He was banned from the roads for 20 months, fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £35 victim surcharge.

Kahraman Sain, 22, of Earl Street, Hastings, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He was banned from the roads for three years, given a 16-week suspended prison sentence, made the subject of an 18-month supervision order and told to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

You can text officers on 65999 with the details of people you suspect of drink or drug driving, along with their car make and registration number.

To report anyone driving antisocially visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

If you know someone is driving after drinking or taking drugs call 999.