Driver Twice the Limit After Yarm Crash, Claims He Stopped Drinking Before

A driver was banned from driving after crashing two cars while drunk. Rabas Bkheit crashed in Yarm on January 21 and had twice the legal alcohol limit in his system. People witnessed his erratic driving and alerted the police.

Police located Bkheit following the crash, where he failed a roadside breath test, confirming he was over the limit. Bkheit, 38, faced charges in court and admitted to driving while intoxicated.

The prosecutor, Lynn Dalton, outlined that witnesses reported Bkheit’s driving around 2:30 PM and alerted police. Officers discovered his vehicle at a crash site located at the junction of Green Lane and Thirsk Road.

Bkheit had 72 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35. He admitted to drinking heavily the night before but believed he was fit to drive.

His lawyer, Paul McGee, stated that Bkheit had a good record prior to this incident and immediately admitted his guilt. McGee explained that Bkheit had consumed alcohol the previous night and was driving to meet a friend when the accident occurred.

McGee told the court that Bkheit feels genuinely remorseful and mistakenly believed he was fit to drive, having stopped drinking the night before. He now recognizes he drank excessively. The court imposed a 22-month driving ban, a £140 fine, £85 in court costs, and an additional £56.