Motorist, 26, whose pal died in drink drive crash caught under influence
Road ban and hefty fine handed down by magistrates over motoring offence.
A motorist whose friend was killed in a crash due to drink driving failed to learn from the tragedy, and was himself caught behind the wheel while more than double the limit.
Joshua Burton, aged 26, drove a powerful Mitsubishi L200 4x4 on Oswestry Road, Whittington, Oswestry on September 27 this year.
Telford Magistrates Court was told police officers pulled Burton over at 1.18am due to his car having flat tyres.
It was said that Burton had been drinking pints of beer over several hours.
He was breathalysed and tested positive for alcohol.
Burton was arrested and taken to custody at Monkmoor police station in Shrewsbury.
He was given further breath tests and provided a low reading of 87 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit in England and Wales is 35mcg.
Burton, of Dolobran Cottages, Pont Robert, Meifod, near Welshpool, Powys, pleaded guilty to driving with alcohol above the legally specified limit.
He has no previous convictions.
The court was told that Burton had lost a friend not long ago who died following an incident of drink driving.
Burton has lost his driving job due to this conviction.
Magistrates banned Burton from driving for 17 months and fined £300.
Burton was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £120 victim surcharge, bringing his total legal bill to £505.