An Amazon delivery driver who was found drunk at the wheel of his Mercedes after crashing into several parked cars had downed at least half a bottle of whisky.

Vasea Mocanu had earlier rowed with his girlfriend at their home in Medway and decided to get in his white Mercedes Vito van for a drive so their argument wouldn’t escalate further.

But after bumping into friends he decided to start drinking with them.

He drank at least half a bottle of Whisky before jumping back in his car later that night and attempting to drive home.

Despite knowing he was over the limit, he got behind the wheel and drove to Gillingham during the early hours of November 26.

When he reached Saunders Street in Gillingham, he crashed his Mercedes into two other cars and was still sitting in the driver’s seat when police spotted the damaged vehicle, stationary, in the middle of the road with its hazard lights on.

Officers found Mocanu, who is originally from Moldovia but has lived in the UK for four years, was “clearly intoxicated” and he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and later charged.

Mocanu, of Balmoral Road, Gillingham, appeared before magistrates on January 2 when he pleaded guilty to driving whilst unfit through drink.

Charlotte Frost prosecuting said: “Officers on patrol saw him sitting in the car which was stationary in the middle of the road with its hazards on.

“He had just crashed into another car which then had a domino effect and impacted two other vehicles.

“Officers could see he was clearly intoxicated.

“He’s of previous good character, but there was a high level of impairment and there was a collision and the guidelines say it warrants a community sentence.”

Magistrates asked probation to speak with Mocanu to see why he decided to get in the vehicle and drive and to see if he had any alcohol or drug addictions.

After a brief interview with a probation officer it was disclosed to the bench Mocanu had no alcohol or drug addictions.

However, they heard he been aware he had been over the limit when he got into his car, but had not thought he would be in the position of appearing in court, but that now he was, he knew how serious the matter was and would lose his job as an Amazon delivery driver as a result of any ban.

The probation officer added: “He’s been very foolish and he’s very remorseful.”

Magistrates decided to place Mocanu on a 12-month community order which will see him complete 150 hours of unpaid work and attend five rehabilitation sessions.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months, but if he completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.

Mocanu was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 as well as £85 court costs.