A father of three has admitted to drink-driving after crashing his car while attempting to move it to avoid a parking ticket in Ashford town centre.
Krishna Thapa, 46, had been parked illegally when he decided to drive his Vauxhall Corsa to a legal parking space on January 27, 2025. However, moments later, he failed to stop at a junction and collided with another vehicle.
Police were called to the scene, and Thapa, of Sussex Avenue, Ashford, failed a breathalyser test. He later gave a reading of 54 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Thapa appeared before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on February 12, 2025, where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving. Prosecutor Terry Knox told the court that Thapa admitted to having one beer before the accident.
His defence solicitor, Simon Pettican, described the incident as a “stupid mistake”, emphasizing that Thapa was a family man with no prior offences. He explained that his client had moved the car to avoid a parking fine, but had made a poor decision under the influence of alcohol.
Sentencing
Thapa was handed a 14-month driving ban, fined £120, and ordered to pay a £48 victim surcharge along with £85 in court costs.
