A DRINK-driver has been fined and banned after being branded "extremely foolish" by a Judge.

Eric Ashley, of Trefonen, near Oswestry, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He admitted that he drove a Vauxhall Corsa in Wrexham after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath exceeded the prescribed limit.

The court heard that police stopped the 25-year-old on Ruabon Road after receiving information about him from the control room.

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He "smelled heavily of intoxicant" and admitted to having consumed alcohol some hours prior to driving.

After his arrest, he provided a sample which showed 48 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the limit being 35.

Chris Clark, defending, told the court his client had "a rare opportunity to go out that night," but had missed his lift home.

He had thought he was safe to drive, Mr Clark added.

The Leader:

The court also heard the defendant was a man of previous good character.

District Judge Gwyn Jones told the defendant he'd been "extremely foolish," and handed down a £300 fine, as well as ordering him to pay £85 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

Ashley received a 12 month driving ban.