Kennedy Kipchirchir, a Gloucester resident, has been banned from driving for four years and must wear an alcohol monitoring tag for 120 days following multiple drink-driving offenses. The 31-year-old was reported to police on May 3 after a member of the public observed him swerving dangerously on the road, nearly hitting cones and the kerb. Breath tests confirmed he was over the legal alcohol limit.
Further investigation revealed Kipchirchir was driving without a valid license, operating an unroadworthy vehicle—a car with an expired MOT—and had been previously disqualified from driving after a similar offense in May 2024. Despite these restrictions, he continued to drive regularly, even attempting to evade arrest by switching seats with a passenger during one traffic stop.
Kipchirchir pleaded guilty to three counts of driving under the influence, two counts of driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and using a vehicle without a valid test certificate. Following these offenses, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to a four-year driving ban and ordered him to wear an alcohol monitoring tag that will trigger immediate arrest if alcohol is detected.
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PC Ed McWalter from the Roads Policing Unit emphasized Kipchirchir’s blatant disregard for the law and expressed relief that his reckless driving did not result in injury or worse. Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership Chairman Nick Evans condemned Kipchirchir’s actions as selfish and dangerous, stressing the importance of road safety initiatives like Operation Spotlight.
Operation Spotlight, running throughout July, targets the so-called “Fatal Four”: drink or drug driving, mobile phone use while driving, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts. Police across Gloucestershire will increase traffic stops and patrols to reduce road incidents during this period.
Inspector Martyn Murawa urged drivers to plan safe journeys and avoid driving under the influence, highlighting the severe consequences of such risks. He encouraged motorists to use designated drivers, taxis, or public transport instead of risking lives by driving impaired.