An Armenian drink-driver who crashed his car into a bush had earlier been boozing as he was marking an annual day of national celebration.
Sargis Avetisyan was at the wheel of his Vauxhall Insignia in Beltring Road, Paddock Wood, on July 27, when he lost control of the vehicle.
The 43-year-old clipped a kerb and his tyre burst. His car came off the road and the front end of it ended up in a bush.
The crash was witnessed by another motorist who called the police and Avetisyan was arrested after a roadside breath test proved positive.
Avetisyan, of Ringden Avenue, Paddock Wood, admitted drink-driving when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on August 14.
The court heard he gave a reading of 46 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, said: “A member of the public was driving along the A228 near the Beltring turning and saw an orange cone come flying across the road and then dirt and dust in the air.
“They slowed to a stop and saw a Vauxhall in a bush and took a photo. It appeared to be trying to reverse, and the driver said they were fine, but they suspected the driver had been drinking, so they dialled 999.”
The court was told that Avetisyan admitted to officers he was the driver and explained that he’d come off the road at a bend, and he still had the car keys on him.
The prosecutor added: “In interview, he confirmed he was driving and hit a kerb and his tyre burst, and he moved the vehicle around the corner and phoned a friend to pick him up.
“He’s of previous good character and has a clean licence.”
Speaking through an Armenian interpreter, Avetisyan said: ”I did the wrong thing and it won’t happen again, I promise.
“I don’t normally drink and drive at all. I got a phone call and it was a bad situation with my son, and I should have called a taxi.”
The court also heard Avetisyan had drunk alcohol that day, as all Armenians were marking a day of national celebration.
Magistrates fined him £151, banned him from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £60 as well as £85 court costs.
If he completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by 25%.
