34-stone drink-driver declared himself too heavy to turn up to court to face hearing
Jaroslaw Tomasz Wiech said his bulging tum was so large it should count as a disability
A 34-STONE fork-lift truck driver refused to turn up to court for a drink drive rap - because he was too fat.
Jaroslaw Tomasz Wiech, 36, claimed his bulging tum counted as a disability which spared him the trouble of answering the court summons.
He was due to appear before JPs in York after being found slumped over the steering wheel of his car after downing a bottle of vodka.
He blew nearly twice the legal limit and was also found to be using the vehicle without third party insurance.
When he failed to turn up for his case on June 6 a police warrant was issued for his arrest and he was brought back to court under police guard.
Wiech, who speaks little English, explained to the duty solicitor he had “mobility problems” caused by his bulk.
But when the lawyer delivered his client’s jaw-dropping excuse to the bench, stunned District Judge Adrian Lower blew his top.
Wiech, of Hemingbrough, North Yorkshire, finally turned up - wheezing his way across the road from the bus stop opposite the court house.
He slowly climbed the steps and sat slumped on a bench in the corridor sweating until his case was called on.
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Prosecutor Simon Ostler told the court: “He has a mobility issue but it is accepted that was not a reasonable excuse for not attending.”
He said Wiech had been found slumped over the wheel of the car parked outside his local village shop by a passer-by.
A breath test revealed 68 micrograms of alcohol. The legal limit is 35. His car keys were found of the floor of the vehicle.
Wiech said he had downed four pints of beer and a glass of whisky after finishing a night shift.
But he stopped drinking at 9am and did not drive until 2pm when he needed to visit the shop to top up his house-hold electricity credits.
Speaking through an interpreter, he added: “I’m pretty sure if someone of my weight who had drunk four beers would not be over the limit by then.”
While parked up outside the shop, he claims he had a row with his ex wife over the phone and downed a “small” bottle of vodka before dozing off. The next thing he remembered was being roused from his stupor by police.
He denied drink driving but admitted a lesser charge of drunk in charge. He also admitted failing to attend court and no insurance.
He was fined £325 plus £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points but he escaped a ban.
District Judge David Golding said: “If you come before us again you may not get the same chance again.”