A MAN was only half way through a two-year ban when he was caught behind the wheel.

Blackburn magistrates heard Alex Betts was pulled over at 3am and found to be more than three times the legal drink drive limit.

Betts, 32, of Thornhill Avenue, Rishton, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, while disqualified and without insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was banned from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £136 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Betts was banned from driving for 24 months in October 2019 for excess alcohol.

Ian Huggan, defending, said the recommendation of a pre-sentence report was for a community order which would help him with the thinking skills which seem to have deserted him on occasions.

“He would benefit from help to deal with the issues following the breakdown of a relationship,” said Mr Huggan.

“He gave up a good job to move to Spain to be with his girlfriend but the relationship broke down and he moved back to the UK last summer.”

Mr Huggan said his client, a joiner, had found employment but had lost that job the day before he was breathalysed.