A man who had no regard for the law and repeatedly drove whilst both drunk and disqualified has received a driving ban and must wear an alcohol monitoring tag.
This case is being promoted as Gloucestershire Constabulary joins police forces in supporting the NPCC’s national summer road safety campaign Operation Spotlight.
The campaign, which runs from 1 to 31 July, will focus on targeting the “Fatal Four” causes of collisions where people are killed or seriously injured.
These are driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, using a mobile phone while behind the wheel, driving at inappropriate speed and not wearing a seat belt.
Kennedy Kipchirchir, aged 31 and of Arthur Street in Gloucester, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Monday 23 June where he was banned from driving for four years and now has to wear an alcohol monitoring tag for 120 days.
He had been remanded into custody for nearly four weeks ahead of sentencing.
The alcohol monitoring tag will trigger immediate arrest if Kipchirchir drinks alcohol during the specified time frame.
Officers became aware of Kipchirchir after a concerned member of the public called police on Saturday 3 May this year (2025) to report how they had seen him swerving across the road, narrowly avoiding hitting cones and the kerb.
Kipchirchir was stopped by officers and breathalysed due to the concerns about his manner of driving.
He was found to be over the drink drive limit and additional enquiries established that Kipchirchir did not have a valid driving licence and that the MOT had expired on his Audi.
As part of these enquiries officers also established that Kipchirchir had been disqualified from driving after he had been caught drink driving in May 2024.
Despite this disqualification he continued to flout the laws by driving regularly. On one occasion when he was stopped by officers, he attempted to swap seats with the passenger of his car in an attempt to avoid being arrested.
Kipchirchir was charged with, and later pleaded guilty to, three counts of driving a motor vehicle when above the legal alcohol limit, two counts of driving whilst disqualified, using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance and using a motor vehicle on a road without a valid test certificate.
Investigating officer PC Ed McWalter from the Roads Policing Unit said: “Kipchirchir had a clear disregard for the laws and admitted that he knew he shouldn’t have been driving but continued to do so anyway.
“It’s lucky that his drunken actions didn’t lead to anyone being injured or even killed. We always tell motorists not to get behind the wheel after drinking any amount of alcohol.
“I hope this sentencing shows how we will catch and prosecute those who think they can get away with breaking the law and putting other motorists at risk.”
Nick Evans, the new chairman of the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), welcomed the sentence, describing Kipchirchir as “A selfish, reckless man who put other road users at serious risk.
“Despite persistent warnings, too many people are killed or seriously injured on our roads because of the serious actions of others who believe either they are above the law or accidents don’t happen to them.
“It’s why the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership will always back initiatives like Operation Spotlight, not only because they make our roads and communities safer but also to remind anyone who gets behind the wheel of the dangers of the fatal four and their responsibility to other road users.”
Drivers who combine alcohol and drugs are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober drivers and police are aiming to make motorists aware of how long drink and drugs can stay in their body for.
That’s why motorists can expect to see officers from Local Policing, Neighbourhood Policing, the Special Constabulary and Specialist Operations taking part in more roadside traffic stops in both urban and rural areas across the county.
The Camera Enforcement Unit will also be conducting a number of proactive operations and making targeted patrols in hot spot areas.
Inspector Martyn Murawa from Specialist Operations said: “We want to do everything we can to ensure the roads of Gloucestershire are as safe as possible this summer.
“Attending summer gatherings should be fun and enjoyable moments for all but things can end so badly if you drink or drug drive and are involved in a collision.
“Don’t be like Kipchirchir – instead plan ahead and think about how you will get home, be it appointing a designated driver, booking a taxi or using public transport. Do not take the risk of drinking and driving – it could cost lives.”
The multi-partnership campaign is co-ordinated by Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.