Lorry driver helped police arrest speeding Chesterfield drink driver

A lorry driver helped police to stop a speeding vehicle that was being driven by a drunk Bulgarian car wash worker in Chesterfield, a court heard.
By Andy. Done-Johnson
Published 16th Jan 2020, 17:04 BST
Updated 20th Jan 2020, 16:32 BST
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Officers spotted Milen Shopov dangerously overtaking another vehicle on north Wingfield Road on December 21, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday, January 15.

Shopov, of Derby Road, Chesterfield, then sped of - reaching speeds of 70mph in a 30 zone.

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The lorry driver, who was in front of Shopov then blocked the road, forcing the 28-year-old to a stop.

Milen Shopov was banned from driving by Chesterfield Magistrates' CourtMilen Shopov was banned from driving by Chesterfield Magistrates' Court
Milen Shopov was banned from driving by Chesterfield Magistrates' Court

Prosecuting, Becky Allsop said: “Police saw a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction and it was overtaking another car at speed. Officers had to break and pull over to the near side of the road to avoid a collision.

“They then turned their vehicle around and activated their emergency equipment. The defendant was travelling at 70pmh in a 30 zone. As they approached a left-hand bend they saw him almost lose control of his vehicle.

“There was a lorry ahead and the driver of that vehicle helped to slow Mr Shopov. When they spoke to him he smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech. They conducted a positive roadside breath test and he was then taken to the police station.”

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Speaking through a translator, Shopov admitted failing to stop, drink driving and driving with no insurance.

When breathalysed, he blew 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35.

A charge of driving without a licence was dropped when the court heard that he held a legitimate Bulgarian licence.

Mitigating, Denney Lau said: “He’d had a drink at home and had driven to the shop to get more alcohol and he says he failed to stop because he panicked.

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“He has been in the country for two months and is working at a car wash.”

Shopov received a 20-month driving ban and refused the offer of a drink drive rehabilitation course, which would have reduced his disqualification.

He was also fined £350 for the drink drive offence and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £35 victim surcharge. Magistrates ordered no separate penalties for failing to stop and driving without insurance.