Drink-driver left car embedded in wall and walked home

Thursday 18 April 2024

A drink-driver who crashed into a wall – and walked home without reporting what happened – has been banned from the roads for three-and-a-half years.

Joao Paulo Betencourt De Jesus (51) was also sentenced to 140 hours of community service for the crash on Mont des Longchamps on the afternoon of 11 February,

The Magistrate's Court heard that De Jesus was more than three times over the legal alcohol limit when his black Suzuki Vitara left the road and crashed into the granite wall, writing off the vehicle. De Jesus had left it embedded in the wall and walked home.

St Peter Centenier Joao Camara, prosecuting, said that when police officers went to De Jesus’ home he was unable to walk in a straight line, was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

“He said he had called the police but there was no record of his call,” Mr Camara added.

A breath test showed he had 106 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, against thee legal maximum of 35 micrograms.

De Jesus pleaded guilty to the charges of drink-driving and failing to report an accident and Advocate James Bell, defending, said De Jesus was “ashamed". He added: “Fortunately there were no passengers and no other vehicles were involved.”

He has no previous convictions so Advocate Bell also pointed out: “This incident is out of character.”

Relief Magistrate Peter Harris told De Jesus: “This could have been a lot worse. You hit a wall. You could have hit a person.”.

As well as the community service order and the driving ban he was fined £250 for failing to notify vehicle licensing authorites of a new address.

He must also retake the driving test after the ban has elapsed.