"W. Roxbury man faces fifth charge of OUI" by Jacqueline Tempera | Globe correspondent April 29, 2014
A West Roxbury man who has been convicted of drunken driving three times is facing the charge again, Suffolk prosecutors said.
Paul Griffin, 48, pleaded not guilty to the offense Monday in Roxbury District Court.
Boston police were patrolling near Blue Hill Avenue and Woodcliff Street in Dorchester about 1 a.m. Saturday when they saw a woman run from a bus shelter and get into an unregistered van. Officers followed the vehicle, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said.
Police found the vehicle stopped in a poorly lit area and allegedly saw Griffin engaging in sexual activity with the woman, prosecutors said.
When officers asked for his license and registration, Griffin allegedly told police he had neither. Police smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle and observed that Griffin allegedly had glassy eyes and slurred speech. When Griffin got out of the van, he appeared unsteady on his feet and allegedly had to hold on to the car to keep his balance, prosecutors said.
Griffin told police he could not be arrested because the vehicle was not running. He then told officers “someone drove the car” to the location, prosecutors said.
Officers discovered that Griffin’s driver’s license had been suspended after a 2012 conviction for drunken driving in New Hampshire. Griffin had also been convicted in Suffolk County in 1990 and in 1995 of operating under the influence of alcohol. He also had another drunken driving case continued without a finding in 1984, said prosecutors.
Police also found the license plates on the vehicle did not belong to Griffin, prosecutors said.
Griffin was taken to the police station, where he allegedly refused a breathalyzer test.
During his Monday arraignment, Griffin was charged with operating under the influence of liquor as a fourth offense, paying for sexual conduct, operating with a license suspended for OUI, operating without insurance, and a license plate violation, prosecutors said.
Griffin was released on his own recognizance.
The woman with Griffin Saturday was identified as a 25-year-old homeless woman. She allegedly said Griffin approached and propositioned her. She is to appear in Roxbury District Court at a later date.
Griffin is to return to court on June 26.
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