Suspected drunk driver who crashed car kept sucking breathalyzer instead of blowing

An alleged drink driver who crashed into a lamppost while traveling with three friends in his car failed a breath test because he kept sucking instead of blowing into a breathalyzer. Jaydip Babariya, 28, crashed on Blackbird Road in Leicester and Leicestershire Police arrived to find part of the car badly damaged, the windscreen smashed and the airbags deployed.

After the collision, which happened at around 4am on Sunday 5 May, Babariya was “unsteady on his feet”, Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday 20 May. But after being arrested and taken to a police station, he failed to provide a usable breath sample.

Richard Holt, prosecuting, said: “The collision was quite serious in terms of impact. The defendant was asked to blow into the car, but continued to suck instead of blowing.

READ MORE: Leicester man charged following series of reported sexual assaults in village

“No samples were provided. He didn’t put air in the car, although he said he understood what he had to do.”

Mr Holt said there was clearly a “high level of deficiency”. However, Raza Sakhi, representing Babariya, said his client did not collapse due to drunkenness.

He said: “The car’s tire was punctured, the steering wheel locked up and he lost control. He doesn’t accept he was badly impaired. Mr Babariya was out with friends and had a few drinks but nothing more than that.”

Mr Sakhi said his client tried to provide a specimen but was nervous. He said, “He said he was doing what he was told.”

Babariya, who is unemployed, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was fined £120, ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for the next 20 months. He will also have to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.