A 20-month driving ban and £400 fine were handed down to a Littleport man who abused police officers after he was caught drink-driving. Richard Mozejko, 49, of Globe Lane, pleaded guilty to both offences at Ely Magistrates Court last Thursday. He had 1

A 20-month driving ban and £400 fine were handed down to a Littleport man who abused police officers after he was caught drink-driving.

Richard Mozejko, 49, of Globe Lane, pleaded guilty to both offences at Ely Magistrates' Court last Thursday.

He had 175 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, more than double the legal limit. Mozejko's request for special circumstances to be taken into account was dismissed.

Mitigating, Michael Judkins, explained that after drinking beer in the afternoon, Mozejko felt unwell so had a mug of tea with whisky and fell asleep.

Later that day a friend, who had borrowed his car, telephoned, explaining that the vehicle had been left on his street with the keys on the bonnet.

Mozejko also received a telephone call from an immobile elderly friend asking him to bring fish and chips and a bottle of brandy to his home on nearby Station Road.

He went to the car at around 7pm, believing it to be in a 30-minute restricted zone, unaware the restrictions ended one hour earlier.

Mozejko said: "I went to drive it to a private car park, just 50 paces away. It was a one-way system so there was no quicker way to go.

"The Co-op and fish and chip shop were on the way so I stopped to get the items for my elderly friend."

A WPC in the fish and chip shop noticed Mozejko parking aggressively.

Prosecuting, Yetunde Fawehinmi, said: "As soon as he was approached, Mr Mozejko started swearing at the police officer."

A PCSO and two police officers arrived on the scene and attempted to give Mozejko a breath test.

Ms Fawehinmi said: "Mr Mozejko physically resisted the officers and continued to be verbally abusive, and he shouted, 'I bet you pigs aren't so brave when you're in the pub on your own.'"

Mr Judkins said: "My client accepts he was out of order but the amount of swearing has been exaggerated. He is a very well respected self-employed painter and decorator and this is not the sort of scenario he would usually find himself in."

Mozejko was fined £250 for drink-driving, £150 for abusing police officers and made to pay £100 costs.

He was told his 20-month driving ban would be reduced to 15 months if he undertook a driving rehabilitation course.