A further 21 motorists arrested during second week of annual winter drink and drug driving campaign

Northamptonshire Police is again naming drivers charged with drink driving as part of its annual winter campaign to tackle offending through the festive season.  

As part of the crackdown those caught driving over the legal limit will be publicly named on the Northamptonshire Police website and social media. This is a hard-line approach the Force has taken over recent years to help demonstrate the severity and consequences of drink-driving.

Officers from across the Force will be supporting the month-long operation in a bid to keep our communities and roads safer throughout December and to ensure everyone gets home safely to enjoy the festive season with family and friends.

Although officers carry out breath tests throughout the year, there is always an increased risk at this time of year of road users getting behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs after celebrating the festivities.

During last year’s campaign, 99 road users were charged with driving while over the alcohol limit and 18 arrested for failing a roadside drug test. This compared to 83 and 13 respectively for the same period in 2021.

Since the campaign started on Friday (December 1) officers have arrested 42 drivers on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol and 17 on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs:

Monday, December 11:

• Esther Nkmwazi, aged 36, of Meeting Lane, Kettering, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. She will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 8.

Tuesday, December 12:

• A 26-year-old man from Kettering was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drugs. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

• Luke Prout, aged 39, of Peters Close, Chelveston, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 8.

Wednesday, December 13:

• Lewis Seymour, aged 25, of McKeevor Place, Banbury, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

• A 43-year-old man from Kettering was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drugs. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Thursday, December 14:

• A 32-year-old man from Kettering was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

• Abhi Abhi, aged 24, of Boughton Green Road, Northampton, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

Friday, December 15:

• A 48-year-old man from Irthlingborough was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drugs. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

• Rapi Halili, aged 23, of Craven Gardens, Barking, Essex, was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

• Thomas Sellers, aged 21, of Coton Road, Guilsborough, was charged with failing to provide a specimen. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

• Mariusz Adler, aged 41, of Beake Avenue, Coventry, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

• A 37-year-old man from Torquay was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

Saturday, December 16:

• David Maksa, aged 33, of Golding Close, Daventry, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

• An 18-year-old man from Leeds was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drugs. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Sunday, December 17:

• Osbaldas Zukausks, aged 42, of Kennedy Drive, Rugby, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 11.

• Ibrahim Tasan, aged 58, of Brimsdown Avenue, Enfield, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 11.

• Charlotte Gavin, aged 40, of Brooks Road, Raunds, was charged with being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. She will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 15.

• Pavel Borta, aged 25, of Langsett Close, Northampton, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 11.

• James O’Ben, aged 59, of Cliftonville Court, Northampton, was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 11.

Court result:

Thando Gunda, aged 35, of Mulberry Grove, Swindon, appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 18, charged with four traffic offences including driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol.

Gunda, who was arrested in Billing Road East, Northampton, on the first day of the Force’s annual winter drink and drug drive campaign (Friday, December 1), has been bailed until February 16, when he will stand trial at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.

Damien Blackwell, aged 38, of no fixed address, appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 18, after being arrested in High Street, Thrapston on Saturday, December 16, on suspicion of driving while over the alcohol limit.

Blackwell was subsequently charged with driving while over the alcohol limit, driving while disqualified and driving without valid insurance. He pleaded guilty to all three offences and was released on bail until January 29, when he will be sentenced at the same court.

Drivers who cause a death while driving under the influence of drink or drugs face up to 14 years’ imprisonment. If they’re fortunate not to be involved in a collision, if caught, they risk up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine and a substantial driving ban.

To report suspected drink or drug driving in confidence, call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615 or dial 101. In an emergency, call 999.