Ferenc Gyetvai, 44, has been banned from driving for two years after being caught behind the wheel of a Mercedes while over the alcohol limit on Causey Road in Gateshead.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard on October 24 that police stopped Gyetvai after he was seen swerving across the road, slowing down and speeding up. A roadside breath test recorded 91mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, against the legal limit of 35mg.
Incident details
Christopher O'Brien, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was driving on Causey Road. He was swerving across the road slowing down, speeding up etc. They stopped the vehicle and did a road side breath test."
Gyetvai, of Shafto Terrace in Shield Row, near Stanley, County Durham, pleaded guilty to drink driving.
Defence explanation
Liz Dunbar, defending, explained that Gyetvai had been visiting friends with the intention of staying the night after sharing food and drinks. However, he was asked to leave after the couple began arguing.
She said: "Frank had been visiting friends for the evening. The intention was he would stay for the night. They had food and a very pleasant evening. Things started to go pear-shaped when the couple began to argue. Things got very uncomfortable and he foolishly took the decision to drive his vehicle. He knows he should have left his car there and got a taxi. Thankfully nobody else was involved."
Miss Dunbar added that Gyetvai works full time as a spray painter.
Sentence
Gyetvai, who has a previous conviction for drink driving, was fined £1,166 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £466 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
