LIVES AT RISK
Shocking moment drunk driver almost four times over limit swerves into oncoming traffic in front of terrified motorists
The Russian national was incredibly spared a jail sentence
THIS is the terrifying moment a drunk-driver weaved across a busy motorway onto oncoming traffic.
Walerij Mirosznikow, 53, was nearly four times over the legal limit when he swerved along the M25.
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The Russian national's terrifying joyride along the A-road lasted 10 minutes.
He was cruising along the M25 before stopping and performing a five-point turn which left his car facing the wrong direction.
The terrifying scene ended when Walerij crashed his Toyota Yaris into a roundabout on the A25 near Sevenoaks.
Cops then swooped in and arrested the inebriated motorist.
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However, Walerij, who lives in Chatham, Kent, was spared jail by a judge who told him it was a ";miracle" no one was hurt.
The drunk motorist had a breath-alcohol reading of 136 micrograms.
The legal drink-drive limit is 35mcg.
"It's prolonged, continuous driving," prosecutor Alban Brahimi said.
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"There were ten minutes where he was caught on dashcam and then a further four minutes before he reached the roundabout.
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"There was also the highly dangerous manoeuvre of driving the wrong way, having taken a turn when there was no turn available.
"Fortunately, no injury was caused to others but damage was done to his vehicle."
Mirosznikow gave two no comment interviews following his arrest - even after being shown the footage - but later admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without a licence.
He was slapped with a £40 fine by Sevenoaks Magistrates Court for driving without a licence.
The driver's defence barrister, Eleanor Gwilym, told how her client's behaviour was an "anomaly" - adding that Mirosznikow had expressed remorse following the incident.
She added: "He now feels stupid and remorseful and has explained to me that he had a rather difficult time in his life at the time this was committed and a fairly recent breakdown of his marriage.
"It can properly be seen as a one-off and he is capable of being rehabilitated.
"He has not drunk at all since this incident, not even socially."
CULPRIT SPARED JAIL
Recorder Nicola Williams imposed a 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
"I think it is always a real shame when someone reaches the age of 52, which you were then, and 53 now, and finds themself in the dock," she told Mirosznikow via an interpreter.
"You are now a drink-driver and a thief.
"But there is always something positive that can be said for anyone and that includes you.
"You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity so you didn't waste the court's time and additional money on an unnecessary trial.
"I have also read the pre-sentence report about the breakdown of your second marriage and the immensely personal reasons for it, that you are suffering from depression, and that at least now have attempted to deal with it with medication.
"You have also not had a drink, I'm told, since this incident. That is particularly impressive.
"However, as impressive as that is - and the strength it takes to not drink alcohol for such a long period of time - your driving was absolutely atrocious.
"You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road.
"It was a prolonged piece of dangerous driving over at least ten minutes.
"Everything was impaired by drink. You were nearly four times the legal amount.
"It was only by some miracle that you didn't damage anyone else's vehicle, cause anyone injury or, in the way you were driving while being so much over the limit, killed somebody."
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Williams also handed Mirosznikow the statutory minimum one-year driving ban applicable to offences of dangerous driving and drink-driving, although he was ordered to take an extended test to obtain a licence.
He must also pay £150 court costs and £187 victim surcharge.
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