A 25-year-old man was arrested for drink driving after being caught consuming alcohol in his car, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety.
On 22 December 2024, an incident involving drink driving unfolded in Brentwood, Essex, when local police on patrol encountered a vehicle partially obstructing the roadway. The officers noted that the car’s engine was still running, and as they approached, they observed the driver consuming a pint of lager directly from a Stella Artois glass.
The driver, identified as 25-year-old Andre Ali-Baba from Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, reportedly informed the officers that he had “just had a sip” of his drink. This assertion proved inconsequential, as he subsequently failed a roadside breath test conducted by the police.
Ali-Baba was arrested and faced charges related to drink driving. His case was brought before Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 20 February 2025. Following the hearing, he received a ban from driving for a period of 14 months and was ordered to pay a total of £256 in fines and court costs. The events highlight law enforcement’s response to drink driving, which continues to be a significant concern on the roads.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-03-05/i-just-had-a-sip-claims-driver-seen-drinking-pint-of-stella-behind-wheel – This article corroborates the incident involving Andre Ali-Baba being caught drinking a pint of Stella Artois while driving and his subsequent arrest and charges.
- https://www.essex.police.uk/news/essex/news/news/2025/march/man-caught-with-pint-at-the-wheel-during-crackdown/ – This source provides details about the arrest and charges faced by Andre Ali-Baba for drink driving during a police crackdown.
- https://www.the-independent.com/tv/news/essex-drink-driving-video-brentwood-b2709682.html – This article supports the claim that Andre Ali-Baba failed a roadside breath test after being caught drinking behind the wheel.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the original source of the article, though it does not provide additional external corroboration.
- https://www.gov.uk/driving-ban – This UK government webpage explains the process and consequences of receiving a driving ban, which aligns with the penalties faced by Andre Ali-Baba.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, referencing events from December 2024 and a court hearing in February 2025. There is no indication that the content is recycled from older reports.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
There are no direct quotes from individuals that can be verified against earlier sources. However, the narrative does not appear to be fabricated.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a well-known and reputable publication.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible and consistent with typical law enforcement responses to drink driving incidents. The details provided align with common legal procedures.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent, reliable, and plausible. It originates from a reputable publication and aligns with typical legal procedures for drink driving cases.
