Ban for drunken van driver

Feb 26 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A DRUNKEN van driver was found slumped behind the wheel after crashing into a tree in Kinross-shire.

Perth Sheriff Court heard how residents of The Nurseries in Balado rushed outside on October 8 when they became aware that delivery driver Leon Wasilewski (61) had pulled up outside.

Depute fiscal Julie McAra said: “When witnesses became aware a vehicle had entered their drive, one went outside to investigate and found the driver within the vehicle.

“He stated he intended to park up for the night – the witness could smell he was under the influence of alcohol.”

Ms McAra said Wasilewski, who was driving a van belonging to his employer at the time and has since been sacked, “stalled several times and reversed into a tree on the lawn” while attempting to leave the scene.

It was later revealed the Northamptonshire resident had 136 micrograms of alcohol in system when tested by police – a charge he later pleaded guilty to.

In defence of her client, solicitor Linda Clark told the court he opted for a “very unwise” strategy to cope with nerves when driving.

Mrs Clark said: “Mr Wasilewski has always driven and always worked, but he has a fear of driving over bridges and stops to have a drink to combat the nerves.

“It is very unwise, but he does not appear to have an on-going issue with alcohol.”

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis decreed that Wasilewski should undertake 80 hours of community service and be disqualified from driving for a period of 30 months.