A MAN caught drink driving told magistrates he turned to drink and drugs after doing jury service.

Steven Ward, from Evesham, pleaded guilty to possession of controlled drug (cannabis) and drunk driving when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Emily Clewer, prosecuting, said officers spotted a blue Mercedes being driving on the A46 at 3am on August 20, and they got it to pull over.

The solicitor said: "The defendant was the driver of that car.

"He failed a roadside breathalyser test.

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"At Worcester (station) he gave two samples, the lowest being 68mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath (the legal limit being 35mcg).

"He was searched at the station, a small amount of cannabis was found consistent with personal use.

"Mr Ward has two convictions for two offences. He has a driving a vehicle with excess alcohol in March 2011 - that being a relative offence in the last 10 years."

The solicitor added Ward faced a mandatory three year ban, due to now having the second conviction eight years after the first.

The 40-year-old, who represented himself, was asked by a court clerk if there was anything he wanted to say about what happened.

Ward said: "I am deeply remorseful for what I have done.

"I did jury service a few years ago.

"There is not a day that goes by when I don't think about the case.

"I think it has contributed to my drinking."

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The Blacksmiths Lane, South Littleton resident added that he was a mechanic, and could soon lose his job.

Keith Stoke-Smith, chairman of the magistrates bench, said: "This is a high reading.

"Drink driving is a serious offence. You could cause harm to you, and harm to others.

"Jury service was a very good thing you did, but if you have had some effects since, go to your GP and get help. Certainly if you are drinking and taking drugs, get help."

For drink driving magistrates disqualified Ward from driving for 36 months, fined him £270, and ordered him to pay £32 victim surcharge and court costs of £185 - a total of £487.

There was no separate penalty for possession of the cannabis.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

The case was heard on September 5.