Former Newcastle Drug Dealer Faces New Conviction for Drink-Driving Offences
Yuri Gomes, a former drug dealer from Newcastle who was previously sentenced to 43 months in prison for supplying cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA while disguised as a Deliveroo rider, has now been convicted for drink-driving offences. The 26-year-old was caught driving his friend's BMW while over the legal alcohol limit and without proper insurance or a full licence.
Court Proceedings and Arrest Details
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that Gomes was spotted by police officers driving through Newcastle City Centre in the early hours of January 10 this year. He was stopped on Elswick Road at approximately 1.50am after officers noticed his vehicle. Upon being pulled over, Gomes failed a roadside breath test, recording 50 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Clare Haswell, prosecuting, stated that Gomes admitted to having no insurance or valid licence at the scene. "The defendant did a roadside breath test, which was positive, and admitted having no insurance or licence," Miss Haswell told the court. "He's got no previous convictions in relation to driving matters but he does have a record for other offences."
Defence and Sentencing Outcome
Janice Hall, Gomes's defence solicitor, explained that her client had fully cooperated with police and believed he was under the alcohol limit at the time. "Clearly, it was a foolish decision to drive," Mrs Hall said. "He's 26-years-old and received a prison sentence in 2023 and was released in 2024. Since then, he has been actively seeking work but, because of his criminal record, he's not been successful."
District Judge Paul Currer imposed a series of penalties on Gomes, including:
- A £200 fine
- £85 in court costs
- An £80 victim surcharge
- A 16-month driving disqualification
Judge Currer emphasised the seriousness of the offence, stating: "On this particular day, you were driving a BMW through Newcastle City Centre and, when stopped, it was found you were over the limit. It's a serious offence because your ability to drive is impaired. You also had no insurance or full licence."
Background and Previous Convictions
Gomes, who resides at Evistones Gardens in Walker, Newcastle, has a significant criminal history. In 2023, he was sentenced to 43 months imprisonment for drug dealing offences involving cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA. During those crimes, he notoriously used a Deliveroo rider disguise to evade police detection. Despite being released from prison in 2024, he has now added multiple driving offences to his record, including:
- Driving with excess alcohol
- Driving without insurance
- Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
The case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat offenders and the challenges of rehabilitation following serious criminal convictions. Gomes's inability to secure employment due to his criminal record was cited as a contributing factor in his recent offences, though the court maintained that drink-driving represents a significant danger to public safety regardless of personal circumstances.
