A MAN who went through two red lights after failing to stop for police was found to be over the alcohol limit, a court heard.

Thomas Norman, of Poplar Close in Coedpoeth, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old admitted one offence of drink-driving on Pen y Bryn in Wrexham and one of failing to stop when required to by police, which happened on the A525, also in Wrexham.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that at around 2.30am on July 13 this year, police on patrol in Wrexham spotted a Mercedes van apparently travelling in excess of the 20mph speed limit.

The officers tried to stop the van near Morrisons supermarket in Ruthin Road but it carried on through two red lights in the direction of Bellevue Park before eventually turning into a dead end and coming to a natural stop.

The driver, Norman, told officers he'd failed to stop because he "panicked".

His breath test revealed 62 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35.

Euros Jones, defending, told the court: "He is a self-employed carpenter and this is out of character.

"He and his partner were going though some stress and things were getting on top of him, which is why he has ended up in this position.

The Leader:

"He pleads guilty at the earliest opportunity."

District Judge Gwyn Jones handed down a £400 fine for drink-driving and banned Norman from driving for 18 months.

The defendant must pay a £100 fine for failing to stop, as well as £85 costs and a £160 victim surcharge.