A disqualified driver caught driving when banned for the second time in three months has been jailed for 22 weeks.
Previously convicted drink-driver Dawid Krawiec, of Aspal Close, Beck Row, also failed to provide a breath specimen after crashing his housemate’s car which he had taken without permission.
The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to four charges when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ court via a video link from Bury St Edmunds police investigation centre.
Listening to proceedings through a Polish interpreter Krawiec also admitted being in breach of a suspended prison sentence he was given for his first disqualified driving offence.
Prosecutor Colette Harper said the new offences occurred in Tuddenham Road, Barton Mills on Saturday.
Police were called to a single vehicle accident near the A11 dual carriageway.
When an officer arrived Krawiec was standing in a driveway a few houses away from where the collision occurred.
A silver Ford Ka had been damaged in the crash.
Krawiec admitted he had been driving. The officer recognised him as someone he had dealt with previously and knew to be a disqualified driver.
The court was told Krawiec had two Ford keys in the pocket of his hoodie and alcohol could be smelled on his breath.
Krawiec was unable to provide a roadside breath test.
When he was taken to the police investigation centre he refused on two occasions to provide a sample.
The first time was because he said he had inflammation in his pancreas and liver. The second time he said he was scared of needles and getting an infection from them.
Krawiec took the keys to the car without permission from the vehicle’s owner, whom he lived with.
Krawiec was given a 12-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, on December 17 after being caught driving while disqualified in November.
He had previously been convicted of drink-driving.
Krawiec pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, disqualified driving, failing to provide a breath specimen and driving without insurance.
His solicitor Alex Curnow said his client had a history of alcohol and drug problems.
On the night in question he had been drinking and decided to go to see his girlfriend in the hope of mending their relationship, but failed to do so.
In addition to his prison term Krawiec was given a three-year disqualification from driving to begin when he leaves prison.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here