A SEVENTEEN-month driving ban has been handed to a Carlisle motorist who was caught driving in the early hours while almost twice the drink drive limit.

Adrian Huggon, 39, came to the attention of the police when he was seen driving a BMW car 'at speed' at 3.30am in Yewdale Road, Carlisle, on Sunday, August 27, the city’s Rickergate court heard.

He admitted a single charge of drink driving.

The court heard that the police officers reported seeing the defendant’s car reaching a speed of approximately 50mph on a street with a 30mph limit. At one point, the court heard, the BMW was driving on the wrong side of the road.

“The officers illuminated their blue lights to effect a stop but it would appear that the driver didn’t notice that they were behind him for a number of seconds,” prosecutor Glenn Anderton told the court.

The car continued to travel at high speed before then pulling over.

When they officers spoke to Huggon, the slowness of his speech and his glazed eyes made them believe that he was intoxicated, said Mr Anderton.

A roadside drugs swipe test was negative but an initial breath test indicated an alcohol level of 71mcg in every 100mls of breath. A later 'evidential' test produced a reading of 61mcg in every 100mls of breath.

The legal limit for driving is 35mcg.

The defendant, of Chesterholm, Carlisle, has no previous convictions,

Mr Anderton added. After hearing the details, magistrates imposed a £120 fine and a £48 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. Magistrates offered the drink driver rehabilitation course.

If completed within an agreed deadline, this will reduce the defendant’s ban by 17 weeks.