Man racially abused elderly woman before drink-driving spree

The woman was walking home for work when she saw Lukasz Puchalski involved in a heated conversation on his mobile phone at Monksfield Avenue, Great Barr, while driving.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the 31-year-old followed her before getting out of his car and racially insulting her.

He was later seen by another woman and her husband driving near Grove Vale Primary School where he bumped into a kerb and shredded a tyre, before continuing to drive on the wrong side of the road.

The couple followed Puchalski in their car as traffic swerved to avoid him before taking the keys off him when he stopped.

Puchalski, of Wolseley Road, West Bromwich, was given a 16-month prison sentence suspended for two years after being convicted of dangerous driving, drink-driving, driving without insurance or a licence, and racially aggravated harassment.

Mr Geoffrey Dann, prosecuting, said: "The two women called the police when they got home. It left the mother feeling very scared as this was the usual route she took to meet her daughter.

"She said the defendant looked clearly intoxicated and she was also concerned about what he would do next.

"The other woman said the defendant stunk of booze and had glazed eyes."

The court Puchalski, who was also given a three-year driving ban and only had a provisional driving licence when arrested, blew almost three-times the drink-drive limit at the police station.

Mr Simon Hanns, defending, said: "Stress in the family was the catalyst for this unfortunate offending.

"He came to this country from Poland a number of years ago and has not been in any trouble.

"On this particular day, everything seems to have gone wrong for him and this was his answer."

Puchalski, who pleaded guilty to all the charges, will also ordered to pay legal costs of £340, a victim surcharge of £100 and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Recorder Michael Stephens, sentencing, said: "I have heard about the stress in your personal life at the time but I find it difficult to believe that your behaviour could be excused."