A DRIVER who was stopped by police on the A38 at Droitwich proved to be over the drink-drive limit.

Worcester magistrates heard that police stopped a Vauxhall Astra in the early hours of March 4 because of a defective headlight.

The driver, Martin Edge, aged 50, of 43 Littlehill Crescent, Halesowen, was breath tested and proved to have 49 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; the limit is 35.

Mr Edge, who was not represented, admitted the charge and told the court that he was a restaurant manager at a hotel, his wife was 49 per cent disabled and a driving ban would cause him problems.

"It was sheer stupidity," he said.

Magistrates banned Edge from the road for a year, but said three months would be taken off the ban if he successfully completed a drink-driving awareness course.

He was told to pay a £300 fine with a £30 victim surcharge and £135 costs.