Disqualified drink-driver jailed after being caught behind the wheel

A disqualified drink-driver has been jailed for almost three months after being caught behind the wheel just hours after being banned by a court.

Kunmi Labinjo, aged 38, was originally stopped by officers shortly before 10.45pm on Sunday, July 23, after they observed him driving a grey Range Rover Evoque in an erratic manner in High Street, Upton.

Labinjo, of Rounding Street, Northampton, was arrested on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol after failing a roadside breath test and was subsequently charged after he blew 54 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

At Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 24, Labinjo pleaded guilty to the charge and was disqualified from driving for 36 months, ordered to complete a community order, carry out 100 hours of unpaid work as well as pay £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

However, less than 12 hours after being banned from driving, Labinjo was stopped by officers at about 9.10pm on Monday, July 24, driving the same grey Range Rover Evoque, near his home.

He was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified before being subsequently charged with this offence and driving with no valid third-party insurance. He was once again put before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 25, where he again pleaded guilty.

Labinjo was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, disqualified for a further 46 months and ordered to pay £154 victim surcharge.

Arresting officer PC Scott Kimberley of the Roads Policing Team said: “Kunmi Labinjo thought he was above the law and his actions clearly demonstrated a total disregard for the sanctions imposed by the court.

“We see the devastating effects drink driving can have, and for Labinjo to get behind the wheel after being disqualified it’s not just selfish, but dangerous and reckless.

“Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains a priority for Northamptonshire Police and our partners at the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance, and I’m pleased the courts have dealt with this driver robustly.”

Tragically in 2022, after being involved in a road collision in Northamptonshire, 36 people never returned home safely to their loved ones, and 347 required urgent medical assistance for serious and life-changing injuries.