Driver 4 times drink limit smashes into family’s car then tries to flee before mum grabs keys

An alcoholic driving while about four times the limit smashed into the back of a car containing a woman and her two children after the woman slowed down for a traffic light. A court heard after the crash Minaldev Odedra offered the woman money to pay for the damage to her car and then tried to drive away – but the woman took his keys off him and called Leicestershire Police[1]. When officers arrived Odedra blew a roadside breathalyser reading of 149 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath – more than four times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

He later gave an evidential reading of 122 microgrammes at a police station and pleaded to drink-driving at Leicester Magistrates’ Court[2] on Monday. Prosecutor Sajeela Hussain described the incident, which happened at about 11.30pm on Saturday, November 18. She said: “The complainant was travelling along Melton Road towards Belgrave from Thurmaston with her two children.

“Approaching the roundabout near Rushey Mead Academy she saw the light was turning to red so she slowed down. She was hit from behind by his vehicle, pushing her car into the middle of the road.” The mother got out of her vehicle and approached Odedra, who was alone in his grey BMW.

Ms Hussain said: “She could immediately tell he was under the influence of alcohol – his speech was slurred and his eyes were glazed. “She kept telling him to get out of his vehicle and when he eventually did he was extremely unsteady on his feet. He said he would pay for the damage to her car then got back in his vehicle and turned the engine on.

“She took the keys from the vehicle and contacted the police. Fortunately neither her nor her children were hurt, although she suffered pain in her neck and back after the collision.” Beth McGovern, representing Odedra, 35, of Barnes Heath Road, Goodwood, Leicester, said her client was an alcoholic who had spent time in rehab and that a pre-sentence report from probation would be useful before Odedra was sentenced.

She said: “I think this is a situation where further exploration by the probation service would be warranted.”

The magistrates agreed and the case was adjourned.

References

1. ^ Leicestershire Police (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ Leicester Magistrates’ Court (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ Critically-injured man climbed into police car and said he had been stabbed (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)