Jailed disqualified drink-driver handed seven-year driving ban

A disqualified drink-driver has been jailed and issued with a seven-year driving ban after being caught behind the wheel following a routine traffic stop in Northampton.

At about 4.30am on Sunday, October 6, a Northamptonshire Roads Policing officer stopped the driver of a silver Mercedes ML 320 CDI Sport A car in George Row because of a defective brake light.

When the driver – who was later identified as Alexandru Mereacre – was spoken to, he gave the officers false details however, the 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after he failed a roadside breath test.

Mereacre went on to be charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above the limit after he provided an evidential sample in custody of 89 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml breath, which was more than twice the legal 35mg limit.

Further checks on the police national computer also flagged that he was also disqualified from driving until November 2028, and he was also charged with driving while disqualified as well as using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance.

At Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 7, Mereacre, of the town’s Leyside Court, pleaded guilty to all three offences and was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks in prison, handed an 86-month driving disqualification and ordered to pay £154 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Arresting officer PC Michael Hollowell of the Roads Policing Team said: “Alexandru Mereacre had already had his driving licence revoked as the standard of his driving had put himself and others at risk.

“Driving this vehicle while under the influence of alcohol not only showed a real contempt for the authorities but was also selfish, dangerous, and irresponsible, and I am pleased the courts dealt with him robustly.

“We see the devastating consequences a road collision can have, not just on those directly involved, but their loved ones and wider community. So, it is always extremely disappointing to see that there are still people who choose to use our roads illegally and irresponsibly.

“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 we will continue to work together to improve safety on our roads.”

Tragically in 2023, after being involved in a road collision in Northamptonshire, 29 people never returned home safely to their loved ones, and 271 required urgent medical assistance for serious and life-changing injuries.