A DRINK driver who was more than twice the limit told a probation officer

his life went 'downhill' after he was stabbed in the eye.

Asa Birmingham appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday for driving with excess alcohol, driving without a licence and without insurance.

The 33-year-old was stopped in his Toyota Avensis in Henry Street, Evesham, in the early hours of March 30. It was his second conviction for driving with excess alcohol within the last three years.

A breath test provided a reading of 82mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, nearly two and a half times the drink drive limit of 35mcg.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said Birmingham was stopped at around 3.15am because officers believed the car was being driven without insurance.

Miss Ritchie said: "On speaking with him officers formed the opinion he was under the influence and asked if he had had any alcohol.

"He had consumed four cans of beer and there was also an open Stella in the cup holder in the vehicle."

The initial reading at the roadside was 99mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

However, two further samples were later taken for evidential purposes and the lower of the two readings was 82mcg.

He has a relevant previous conviction for drink driving from 2016 for which he received a 12 month ban.

Ian Parsons, defending, said Birmingham had been experiencing some 'personal issues that day'.

"He was trying to get back with his wife. She is pregnant with his child at the moment" said Mr Parsons.

Birmingham said the car had belonged to Birmingham but accepted he did not have a full licence and was not insured to drive it.

Mr Parsons said: "Clearly aggravating features are the high reading which is quite substantial and that there's a previous conviction (for drink driving) in 2016."

A probation officer also interviewed Birmingham to provide more information about him before he was sentenced.

She told the court Birmingham had been separated from his partner for the last five or six years and was visiting her when her the offences took place.

He was 'under stress' at the time and had since scrapped the car in anticipation of a lengthy ban.

The probation officer added: "He doesn't regard himself as having a drink problem although clearly he has used drink at time of stress. He got stabbed in the eye 12 to 14 years ago. His life seemed to go downhill after that."

The father-of-five (his sixth is expected next month), previously of Wharf Road Caravan Site, Wharf Road, Briton Ferry, became reclusive and was prescribed anti-depressants although the probation officer said there were 'positive factors on the horizon'. She described him as being of good health and on benefits. He would soon move from where he was living in Wales with his mum to Pinvin Caravan Park, near Pershore.

District judge Nick Cadbury banned Birmingham from driving for 40 months and ordered him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £85.

Birmingham was offered the driving awareness course which he must complete by September 11, 2021.

He was told that if the course was completed successfully it would reduce the length of his driving ban by a quarter.