A CAR wash worker who drank a double vodka before driving has been sentenced in court.

Oniga Nicosar, of Neasham Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, February 11).

Prosecutor Paul Power said that police were alerted to a speeding car in Darlington in the early hours of January 25 and officers later stopped Nicosar’s Clio on Neasham Road.

He failed a roadside breath test, revealing 74mg of alcohol in his breath, more than double the 35mg legal limit.

The court heard that Nicosar had drunk a double vodka before driving but had not mixed the drink himself so did not know how strong it was.

He was banned from driving for 16-months and ordered to pay £140 in court fines and charges.

District judge Martin Walker told Nicosar not to drive under any circumstances, warning him that if he drove a customer’s car onto the pavement during his work as a car washer then he would be breaking the law.