Language help for drink-drivers

The Norfolk probation service is one of the first in England to introduce courses in an Eastern European language for people convicted of drink-driving.

The Drink Impaired Drivers programme is a course which offenders must complete as part of their sentence.

Until now, magistrates have been unable to refer non-English speakers.

Two Lithuanian-speaking tutors have now been recruited by the service to deliver the first courses which will take place in Kings Lynn.

The initiative follows research into sentencing in West Norfolk which found the highest proportion of non-English speakers sentenced for drink-driving offences were from the Lithuanian community.

If it proves successful, the principle will be applied in other non-English languages and across other offenders' programmes, such as courses addressing speeding and anger management.