Repeat drink-driver caught at BP garage on A23 at Pyecombe

Sussex Police said Kamal Tossoun, 61, who is unemployed, of Spatham Lane, Ditchling, was arrested on March 22, at the BP garage off the A23 at Pyecombe, where a roads policing sergeant walked past him and noticed he smelt of alcohol.

After witnessing him place the keys into the ignition of his Vauxhall Combo van, the officer went to speak to him, and Tossoun admitted he had consumed alcohol.

He failed a roadside breath test and was subsequently arrested and charged with driving with 57mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

A police spokesman said: “He was due to attend court on June 23, but failed to appear. Therefore a warrant was authorised for his arrest.

“Then in the early hours of June 30, police received information that another vehicle registered to Tossoun – a Fiat Ducato – was in the Ditchling area.

“Officers responded and pulled him over, and again he failed a roadside breath test. This time he had 75mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system – more than twice the legal limit.”

Tossoun was remanded in custody to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court later that day, police said, where he was disqualified from driving for three years.

He was also ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work, and pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

He is the first person to be convicted as part of Surrey and Sussex Police’s summer crackdown on drink and drug-drivers, which ran from June 29, to July 12.

Details of people convicted as part of the campaign will be published on the Sussex Police website.

The force advises anyone who is prepared to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, to face the consequences.

These could include the following:

• Killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else;

• A minimum 12 month ban;

• An unlimited fine;

• A possible prison sentence;

• A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;

• An increase in your car insurance costs;

• Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug-driving, or visit the Operation Crackdown website.

They can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.