A DRINK driving DJ got behind the wheel "in a panic" after being told his friend had been hit by a train, a court heard.

Thomas Lewis, of Hoole Road in Chester, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 25-year-old admitted that on October 29, he drove a Citroen C1 after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath exceeded the specified limit.

He was found to have 80 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35.

Lewis also admitted that on that occasion, he drove the vehicle whilst disqualified and without insurance.

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Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that on the day of the offence, police were in the vicinity of the Shell Garage in Mold Road when they spotted a small white car travelling towards Cefn y Bedd.

It appeared to be traveling in excess of the speed limit, and when officers turned round and tried to catch up they could only just keep the vehicle in sight when travelling at 80 miles per hour.

The white car continued towards the Hollybush Pub, where it stopped to abide by a red light.

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It was pulled over and Lewis, who was in the vehicle with his partner, admitted he'd been the one driving.

Officers could immediately smell alcohol on his breath. He told them he'd had six lagers and tested over the limit at the roadside.

After his arrest, he told police he "worked as a DJ in the Cross Foxes Pub" and had decided to drive following something that had "happened to his friend".

Ms Jackson told the court the defendant had been banned in 2017 and was told he'd need to pass an extended retest before he was able to drive again - which he hadn't done.

Probation officer Tracey Flavell told the court: "He tells me the plan had been to take a taxi back to their accommodation in Chester and the car belonged to his partner.

"She had driven to the Wrexham area and he decided to drive having had bad news about a friend.

"He's currently living in temporary accommodation in Chester - he gave up his privately rented tenancy some weeks ago due to the cost.

"Clearly, alcohol has played a part in his decision making on this evening."

Pierce Blythen, defending, said his client had been DJ'ing on the night of the offence, when his partner received a phone call to say his friend had been "hit by a train."

He added: "In a panic, he got in the vehicle and drove."

Deputy District Judge Paul Conlon said: "You were considerably over the limit and should have got a taxi."

For driving whilst disqualified and drink-driving, the Judge handed down an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for one year.

During that year, he must complete a 60-day alcohol abstinence monitoring order and 15 days of rehabilitation work.

He was banned from driving and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs.