A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been banned from driving for 18 months after being caught at the wheel while nearly twice the drink drive limit.

Owen James, of The Frith, Chalford, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Stroud Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The court heard he had 66 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

James was stopped by police while driving in Bisley Road, Stroud at 5.30pm on Saturday, August 16 and tested positive for alcohol, the court was told.

He had consumed two self-measured glasses of vodka before getting behind the wheel of his Suzuki Swift.

James told the court that he was on his way to meet friends but knew he shouldn’t have driven.

“I didn’t really realise how much of an impact that level of alcohol would have on my driving,” said James.

“I am sorry that I did it and am glad no one else was injured in any way.”

Besides the disqualification, James was fined £250, ordered to pay £40 costs and a £25 victim surcharge.