A KIDDERMINSTER man was handed a year-long driving ban at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Joseph McMahon, of Plane Tree Close, was found guilty of driving a vehicle when his alcohol level was above the legal limit.

The court heard the proportion of alcohol in McMahon’s breath was 45 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath - 10 microgrammes above the legal limit.

He was also found guilty of using a vehicle without third party insurance, driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failure to stop when required by a constable.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said the 25-year-old drove the car at 12.55am of the morning of October 10, with a young lady as his passenger, but was arrested after driving a short distance.

Fergus Maxwell, defending, said McMahon was at his home when the young lady received a telephone call from a friend of hers that there was an incident in the town.

The young lady asked McMahon to pick up her friend and he took the decision to do so.

McMahon pleaded guilty to all four charges, and was given a 12-month ban which will be shortened to nine months if he completes a drink drive rehabilitation course before May 30, 2015.

He was also ordered to pay £200 for driving above the limit, £200 for driving without insurance, £55 for failing to stop, £55 for his licence offence, £85 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge, totalling £615.