A MAN has been banned from driving for 18 months after he was caught almost two times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Lee Anthony Merritt, from Oldham, appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday morning and pleaded guilty to driving above the legal alcohol limit.

Prosecutor, Lee Dacre, said: "At 7.35 on Saturday June 25, the defendant was seen driving a transit van in Michaelson Road.

"Police spotted him and caught up with him and asked him to do two roadside breath tests which proved positive."

Mr Merritt, who is working in Barrow as a roofer, was found to have 68 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Karen Templeton, defending, said: "He had been out for a couple of pints and didn't intend to drive.

"He said it was a stupid, spur of the moment thing."

Deputy District Judge, James Hatton, disqualified Mr Merritt from driving for 18 months.

He was fined £255 in addition to £30 victim surcharge and court costs totalling £85.

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