A CARLISLE motorist who came to the attention of the police when he drove the wrong way along a one-way street was drink driving.

Antony Stevens, 28, committed the offence at Oswald Street, Carlisle, (pictured) at 1am on October 5 as he drove a Seat Leon. He admitted drink driving and driving without valid insurance.(Image: Google)

At the city’s Rickergate court, prosecutor George Shelley said police officers spotted the defendant going the wrong way along the street before then reversing and parking between two parked cars.

“The officers approached the defendant to discuss the driving offence and noticed a strong smell of alcohol,” said the prosecutor.

A roadside breath test confirmed that the defendant had 71mcg of alcohol in every 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg. The defendant has no previous convictions, added Mr Shelley.

From the dock of court, the defendant, of Agricola Way, Carlisle, told magistrates: “It was just me being stupid – an honest mistake.” He added that it was a mistake he would not repeat.

As well as imposing a 19-month ban, magistrates fined Stevens £513 and ordered that the defendant pay a £205 victim surcharge.

The defendant was offered a drink driver rehabilitation course, which if completed by a deadline will reduce the length of the driving ban by 19 weeks.