Van driver's second ban from the roads

MOTORIST Lee McCormick has been banned from the roads for 40 months after being caught drink-driving for a second time.

The 30-year-old was seen driving a Ford Escort van on London Road, Trent Vale, towards Stoke town centre at 11.29pm on Monday, December 10.

North Staffordshire magistrates yesterday heard a police officer's attention was drawn to the van as it appeared to be travelling in excess of 30mph.

Prosecutor Andrew Bodger said: "The van came to a standstill outside a Chinese takeaway and the officer pulled up to speak to the driver.

Dyson DC50i - Bagless upright vacuum cleaner - BALL Technology -...

Freenet Electrical Ltd

View details

Thisi is Dyson's smallest upright vacuum cleaner with the performance of a full size upright machine. The DC50i has Dyson's most advanced cleaner head technology and 2 Tier RadialTM cyclones.

Terms: LIMITED STOCK OFFER. FREE delivery to most UK postcodes - Next working day dispatch.

Contact: 01664 491439

Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013

"The driver identified himself and the officer noticed his speech was slurred and he could smell intoxicants," said Mr Bodger.

McCormick gave a positive roadside breath test.

His lower reading was 64 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – nearly twice the legal limit of 35.

McCormick, of The Villas, Stoke, pleaded guilty to driving with alcohol exceeding the prescribed limit.

The court was told this was the defendant's second conviction for drink-driving. He received a three-year driving ban in 2007 for driving with excess alcohol.

Colette Lamb, mitigating, said McCormick, a cabinet maker, had drunk three-and-a-half cans earlier in the day and went to his mother's house in the evening where he had one glass of wine.

"He thought the alcohol he had earlier in the day would be out his body," said Miss Lamb. "But he failed the roadside breath test."

Magistrates disqualified McCormick for 40 months. The ban will be reduced to 30 months if he completes the drink drivers' rehabilitation course before February 1, 2014.

McCormick was fined £270 and must also pay a £27 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.