Zimbabwean jailed for drunken driving in UK

A Zimbabwean, originally from Old Pumula in Bulawayo, was caught with more than four times the legal alcohol limit with an ice-cold drink in his car in the UK while doing school run, and has been jailed for more than four months.

Promise Moyo (46), was caught with the drink nestled in the centre console of his car when stopped by police after worried members of the public reported a Hyundai i40 car being driven erratically in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Moyo appeared before Ipswich Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was sentenced to 18 weeks' prison and banned from driving for three years.

The court heard after his arrest Moyo was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre where he provided a further breath test four times the legal limit of 35mg. Inspector Chris Hinitt, of the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: "I am completely shocked by the level of alcohol that Promise Moyo, had in his system.

To get behind the wheel of a car when more than four-times the legal alcohol limit is absolutely astounding. Driving a licensed taxi cab in such circumstances clearly and directly imperils the lives of others. We in the Serious Collision Investigation Team - along with many other police colleagues - have seen too often the devastation caused by drink-driving and in my opinion it is completely reckless for anyone to take that risk."

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said Moyo's taxi was swerving across the road before being stopped and found to contain an iced alcoholic drink within the driver's reach. A police report suggested the Moyo had been on the school run, but the cabbie disputed the account, insisting he travelled to Asda for groceries after drinking heavily at home in Suffolk.