A TROWBRIDGE man who was found to be driving almost twice over the legal drink-drive limit has been fined and banned from the roads for 18 months.

David Dunscombe, 26, of Timbrell Street, was found driving with 64 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres (ml) of breath when he was stopped by police on Wednesday, April 20.

Chippenham magistrates heard that police followed Dunscombe, who has a history of drinking problems, down County Way after receiving a tip-off at around 11pm.

They then chased him through a housing estate when he failed to stop.

After clipping a kerb, Dunscombe then left the blue Ford Focus and tried to make a run for it on foot, leaving a female passenger behind, but was caught by police.

Defending, Catherine Thornton said: “He was offered a chance to buy a Ford Focus and went to pick it up.

“On the drive back, the headlights on the car went, so they stopped in Tesco’s car park briefly and Mr Dunscombe then decided to drive it the short journey home so somebody could have a look at the lights the next day.

“He had been drinking earlier that day but he did not think he was over the limit.

“He knows that it was stupid of him.

“The fact he acknowledged he needs help with his drinking problem is quite rare for a young man, and he has showed a real willingness to help his problem.

“It’s a case of a young man making a silly mistake.”

Dunscombe had pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates’ Court last week to driving without a licence, driving above the drink-drive limit and using a car without insurance and was released on conditional bail.

In passing sentence, chairman of the bench David Morrell said: “The driving ban of 18 months took effect from April 22.

“If you go on a drink-driving rehabilitation course, the ban will be shortened by around four months.

“It is up to you whether you choose to go on a course, but you must pay for it yourself.”