GHEORGHE-daniel Cristea of High Street, Swanscombe, Kent, was sentenced for drink driving and dangerous driving when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 18 March. 

In total, the 34-year-old was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, disqualified from holding a licence for three years and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

On 14 November 2023, Gheorghe-daniel Cristea was driving a 44 ton articulated lorry on M25, between junctions 28 and 27, the manner of which was dangerous.

The vehicle was witnesses braking hard at the exit for the M11 junction, almost colliding with the central reservation before taking the exit for the M11 Northbound.

Officers tried to stop the driver on the M11 by initiating blue lights and a matrix board in the rear of the police car reading “Follow me” but the driver failed to take any notice of the officers for half a mile, before coming to a stop on the hard shoulder.

Sergeant David Martin, Roads Policing Unit, said: “Cristea’s actions were dangerous and part of a very bad decision that risked his and other road users’ safety.

“It was dangerous and fell far below the actions of a careful and competent driver.

“Anyone with four times the drink drive limit is a danger on the road, no matter how safe they think they are.

“As a priority for the Roads Policing Unit, we will continue to patrol our county’s roads, ensuring enforcement action is taken against anyone who flouts the law.”