A chef in Wiltshire who panicked about drink-driving and drove away from police wasn’t actually over the limit at all – but has now landed himself with other convictions costing over £1,000.
Blerim Losha, of Yeoman Way in Trowbridge, has pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop when required to by police and driving whilst over the drug-drive limit.
Appearing in Swindon Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, November 13, the 31-year-old chef pleaded guilty to all charges, but explained he had ‘panicked’ over a glass of wine.
“Mr Losha had a previous drink-drive conviction and had only got his licence back in February,” said prosecutor Mr Cooper.
“On May 22, 2024, the chef had had a glass of wine after work before heading home. When he saw police officers on the road, he panicked thinking he was over the drink-drive limit and so carried on home and did not stop.
“In fact, Mr Losha was not over the limit for drink driving.”
According to the probation service, the Italian chef was only concerned about the wine, and had not realised that he still had any drugs in his system.
When his Audi A4 was finally stopped near his home on Yeoman Way, officers found he had 793 micrograms of Benzoylecgonine in his blood.
The legal limit for Benzoylecgonine is 50 micrograms per litre of blood.
“He lives with his wife and two children aged seven and three, and he prides himself on being a hard working man,” said the probation service.
“He has not taken drugs since this offence, and he was quite teary and emotional in interview.
“He says he just wants to work, provide for his family and be a good man.”
The chef has now been banned from driving for three years, less than a year after his last driving ban ended.
He has also been fined £1,153 for his crimes, which is made up of a £760 fine, £308 surcharge and £85 court costs.
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