Drink-driver drove friend's car back from pub because his friend 'could barely stand'

An uninsured drink-driver has lost his licence after deciding to get behind the wheel of his drunken friend's car. Punit Tandel had been to The Owl and Pussycat pub in Rushey Mead when he decided to drive the car.

The incident happened on Sunday, October 27 when Tandel, after seeing how drunk his friend was, offered to drive his VW Golf. However, the 29-year-old was not insured to drive it and as the Golf passed a police car in Catherine Street, officers followed the car, suspecting the driver was speeding.

When he was pulled over, Tandel failed a breath test, while the Leicestershire Police officers also learned he had no insurance for his friend's car. Tandel was charged with those two offences, as well as failing to stop for police.

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At Leicester Magistrates' Court on Monday (November 11) the failing to stop charge was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service and Tandel, of Housman Walk, Belgrave, Leicester, pleaded guilty to the other two charges - drink-driving and having no insurance.

Prosecutor Vishal Patel told the court: "On October 27 the officers noticed the defendant speeding by in front of their vehicle. This caused them to flag the defendant to stop. The police officers suspected the defendant was under the influence of something."

At a police station Tandel gave a reading of 52 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath - the limit is 35 microgrammes.

Sandeep Kaushal, representing Tandel, told the magistrates: "He drove a very short distance - less than a minute from when he set off. The vehicle belonged to his passenger - a friend who was intoxicated. He thought it would be safer for him to drive when his friend could barely stand. Now that decision will haunt him."

He said Tandel lived with his mother and was the sole provider in the household, working at a logistics centre in Derbyshire. He said he will now need to rely on his co-workers for lifts to and from work.

Mr Kaushal asdded: "He is sincerely sorry and utterly ashamed by this."

The magistrates disqualified Tandel for 15 months and fined him £400. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £160 victim surcharge.