Drink-driver went wrong way down A-road in the dark

Motorists were forced to get out of the way of a drink driver who was travelling the wrong way down a busy dual carriageway in the dark.

Avon and Somerset Police said it was only "by chance" that a patrolling officer spotted Francis Siyachitema driving on the A38 on 4 May and pulled him over.

The 50-year-old appeared confused, was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet when stopped, police said, and a roadside breath test showed he was more than four times over the legal limit for alcohol.

Siyachitema, from Taunton, pleaded guilty to driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol and was given a 32-month driving ban.

Attending officer PC Nick Steele said Siyachitema's manner of driving "presented a significant and immediate danger to other road users and it was extremely lucky that no-one was harmed".

"The incident took place in hours of darkness on a poorly-lit section of a high-speed dual carriageway. It was only by chance that a patrolling officer came across him when he did," he added.

Appearing at Taunton Magistrates' Court on Monday, Siyachitema was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114.

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