A disqualified driver with an “appalling record” was brought to police by a McDonald’s worker after ordering a burger while driving more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit.

Not only was Jermide Omaghomi banned from driving and over the legal limit, but he also had no insurance to be behind the wheel of his Lexus when he stopped at the drive-thru to order a fast -food.

However, a McDonald’s worker at the branch in Commercial Road, Strood, thought he was drunk so he called police who found Omaghomi still sitting in his car, waiting for his order.

He then failed a breathalyzer test and was arrested. Further checks by the police revealed that he was not even allowed to drive as he was still banned and, therefore, also did not have insurance to drive the vehicle.

A court heard the incident happened on July 22 last year and it was not the first time he had been caught driving while disqualified.

Omaghomi, of Gordon Road, Strood, had initially denied all three allegations but later changed his plea to guilty on the day he was due to stand trial in September when a pre-sentencing report was ordered to be carried out on him before he learns her identity. fate.

At the time, he was given a temporary driving ban.

He returned to Medway Magistrates Court on November 7 to be sentenced and heard by the court. Taken back to the police station, he gave, after further breath tests, a reading of 90 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath – the legal limit is 35.

Sarah Madden, prosecuting, said: “It was 3.02am and he walked into the Mcdonald’s drive-thru and the person serving thought he was drunk so asked him to pull over in the parking lot to wait for his food, then called the police.

“He failed a roadside breath test, then blew 90 breaths and further checks revealed he had been banned from driving for 40 months for drink-driving.

“He has also been convicted of drink driving since March 2013 and in 2014 and 2019 he was convicted of failure to supply and his last ban was imposed in March 2023 when he was disqualified for 40 months , so he was driving again five months after he started driving. 40 month ban.

“The minimum three-year ban therefore applies. »

If someone is caught driving drunk more than twice in a 10-year period, sentencing guidelines say they will be banned from driving for at least three years.

In his defense, Omaghomi said: “I am sorry for my actions. »

Magistrates then asked him what it would mean if he was sent to prison for the offense and why he was driving.

He replied: “I knew I was disqualified and if I go to prison it will be terrible for my family because I am the breadwinner. »

He later told the court he was an engineer and earned £31,000 a year.

Magistrates said the offenses exceeded the custody threshold but they were prepared to suspend his sentence.

As a result, Omaghomi was jailed for 16 weeks for drink-driving while the offenses were disqualified, but the sentence was suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and attend 25 suspended rehabilitation sessions.

Omaghomi did not receive any separate sanction for driving without an insurance violation, but his license was endorsed.

The presiding judge said: “You waited until the last minute to plead guilty and you have a terrible driving record and we are banning you for four years because it is not the first time. »

Omaghomi was also ordered to pay £650 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £154 and will pay what he owes to the court at £200 per month.