Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury New Year's Day drink-driver handed 12-month ban

A New Years Day motorist has been banned from driving after he was found to be nearly two times over the drink-drive limit in Shrewsbury.

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Daniel Dunbrava, 26, of New Park Road, Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving when he appeared at Telford Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that on January 1, Dunbrava gave a reading of 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when providing a breath test for police. The limit is 35 microgrammes.

Prosecuting, Miss Abigail Hall, said: "On the January 1, officers were on a routine mobile patrol when they saw a Ford Focus C-Max travelling along Ditherington Road, in Shrewsbury.

"They caused the vehicle to stop and officers could smell alcohol on the defendant's breath. A road-side breath test was carried out, which returned positive.

"He was taken to the police station where a lower reading was recorded as 64 microgrammes."

The court heard Dunbrava, who represented himself and made no comments to the court, had no previous convictions.

Magistrates banned him from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a £380 fine, £135 in costs and a £38 victim surcharge.

Dunbrava was also offered a drink-drive rehabilitation course, which would cut 13 weeks off his ban if he completes it before September 7.

Chairman of the magistrates, Peter Eardley, gave him credit for his early guilty plea.