Ipswich three-time drink-driver caught behind wheel only 18 days before his ban ended

Drink-drivers in court

Silas Mkoba, of Spitfire Close, Ipswich, would have been eligible to drive again on May 19 but has now been disqualified driving for another three years.

South East Suffolk Magistrates were told the 28-year-old was caught in Nacton Road, Ipswich, on May 1.

The mechanic was stopped by police because they believed him to be driving too quickly.

A subsequent breath test showed he had 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Mkoba, who had been banned twice previously, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance or MoT.

Mkoba had been disqualified for 36 months after police saw Mkoba driving at speed while nearly four times the drink-drive limit in Bramford Road, Ipswich, early on May 13, 2013.

His previous excess alcohol conviction was in March 2010.

Mkoba had only recently bought the silver Vauxhall Corsa he had been driving, with a view to having a car when he got his licence back.

The court was told he had worked as a mechanic for 12 years.

Sue Threadkell, mitigating, said Mkoba’s employer had ‘put up’ with his disqualification from driving during the last three years.

However, he has now lost his job as his employer said Mkoba had pushed his luck too far.

In addition to his latest 36-month driving ban Mkoba was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was fined £200 and must pay £85 costs, as well as £115 to the victims’ fund.

In a separate hearing Emma Cox, of Dales View Road, Ipswich, also pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

The 47-year-old was caught in Playford Road, Ipswich, on April 26.

A breath test showed she had 55mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.

Cox was sentenced to a 12-month driving ban. She was also fined £300.

Cox must also pay £85 costs and £30 to the victims’ fund.