A DRINK-driver who holds only a provisional licence said he was "set up" after he was caught behind the wheel by police.

Mark Dobbins, aged 53, of Upton Snodsbury, Worcester, was caught driving a Honda CR-V outside a pub by an unmarked police car in Berry Lane, Upton Warren, at 9.40pm on May 13.

Defending himself, Dobbins said: "I have nothing to say. Well I had been out drinking. I asked the police officer- he was actually outside the pub entrance - I think I was set up."

The court heard that Dobbins had a reading of 53 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said: "He admitted straight away he was only a provisional licence holder.

"He provided a roadside breath test.

"He was arrested and taken to Worcester Police Station. He provided two samples of breath - the lowest of these two was 53 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath."

He had been previously convicted of a similar offence in 2005.

Dobbins, who works as a loader, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without insurance or a licence at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 31.

He was given credit for his early guilty plea.

He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Dobbins was fined £340, a further £150 for no insurance and £100 for no licence. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £35.

He was offered a Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course, which if completed to a satisfactory standard, will reduce his overall ban by up to a quarter.