A MAN has been given a lengthy driving ban by magistrates after being caught drink driving.
Ben Maddox was caught after his ex-partner reported he had been driving a Ford Focus without her consent.
Fatima Yasmin, prosecuting, said at around 10pm on Friday, February 10 police received the report of the stolen vehicle and tracked Maddox down to Windermere Drive, Worcester.
Miss Yasmin said Maddox did not run off after being stopped by police, but he had to be requested a number of times by officers to stand still and engage with them.
She said officers initially arrested the 31-year-old for driving without consent but also smelt alcohol on his breath so arrested him on suspicion of drink driving.
At the police station, the evidential specimen Maddox gave was 50mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg.
Miss Yasmin explained the driving without consent matter was not pursued after speaking to the owner, but Maddox was charged with driving without insurance.
She added the drink drive offence was aggravated by Maddox having a similar previous conviction.
Maddox, who admitted both offences, defended himself during the hearing.
When asked by the court clerk if there was anything he wanted to say he replied simply "no".
After their short deliberations chairman of the magistrates bench, Dr Carys Clarke, told Maddox they had decided to disqualify him from driving for 38 months.
The chairman said: "If you drive whilst disqualified (during the period) you could go to prison.
"Is that clear?"
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Maddox replied "Yes".
He was offered the chance to do the drink-drive awareness course which will reduce the ban by 38 weeks if he successfully completes it.
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Maddox was fined £415 and ordered to pay costs of £135, and victim surcharge of £166.
His offer to pay the £716 total at a rate of £150 per month was accepted by the magistrates.
Maddox, of Millfield Road, Bromsgrove, was given six penalty points added to his licence for the no insurance offence.
Maddox appeared at the court on Tuesday, (February 28).
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