Two local men have been banned from driving after pleading guilty to drink and drug driving related charges in court this week.

In the first case before the Magistrates’ Court on Monday 16 December, Jawad Mojahid, 19, of the Upper Town, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Vehicle Taking, Driving with Alcohol Concentration Over Limit, No Insurance, Obstructing Police and Possession of Class A Controlled Drugs – cocaine.

He was sentenced to a 180 hours unpaid work order and disqualified from driving for 18 months. He received no separate penalties for the other offences.

The court heard that at around 4am on the 26 February 2022, Mojahid gained access to someone’s car and then drove it into three other parked vehicles in the Romney Huts Car Park on Queensway – causing extensive damage to all vehicles. 

On police arrival, officers found Mojahid, who smelt of alcohol, in a car that did not belong to him. He was asked to do a road side breath test but instead tried to run away from officers. Officers chased him and after spraying him with Captor spray, arrested him outside the Waterfront Restaurant. 

At New Mole House Police Station, he blew 97ug on the roadside breath test – the legal limit is 35ug. A subsequent urine test confirmed he was over the twice the limit. Whilst in custody, a wrapper containing a white powder was found in his possession.

In the second case before the Magistrates’ Court last Monday, Manuel Hernandez, 37, of Beach View Terraces, was Disqualified from Driving for 18 months and fined £500 after pleading guilty to Failing to Cooperate with a Preliminary Test. 

He also pleaded guilty to defective headlights, driving with improper windows and an irregular registration plate – for which he received no separate penalties.

The court heard that just before 7pm on Tuesday the 25th April 2023, police received a report of a Porsche Cayenne being driven erratically in the area of Camp Bay. 

Response Team officers intercepted the vehicle at Keightley Way and found Hernandez in the driver’s seat. He smelt of alcohol, alcoholic drinks could be seen within the centre console of the vehicle and his behaviour led officers to believe he may have taken drugs.

He was then arrested on suspicion of Driving a Motor Vehicle while under the Influence of Drink/Drugs. At New Mole House Police Station, he refused to do a preliminary test.

If anyone has concerns about a person drink or drug driving, they can call the RGP in confidence on 200 72500 or 999 in emergencies.