A SUFFOLK man is starting a 12-month driving ban after he drove two cars on the same day while over the legal alcohol limit. On the same day another Suffolk man was also banned after he drove with more than the legal limit of alcohol in his system and failed to stop after an accident.

By Victoria Knowles

A SUFFOLK man is starting a 12-month driving ban after he drove two cars on the same day while over the legal alcohol limit.

On the same day another Suffolk man was also banned after he drove with more than the legal limit of alcohol in his system and failed to stop after an accident.

Unemployed Jason Bowman pleaded guilty to the two charges which took place on January 12 at South East Suffolk Magistrates yesterday.

Prosecuting, Judith Piggin, told the court: "At 11.40pm on the A12 at Woodbridge police officers saw a Ford Sierra Sapphire in the middle of the road with its hazard lights on. They saw Bowman get out of the driver's door. Further down the road they also saw a Volkswagen Polo with its hazard lights on.

"When officers spoke to Bowman he said the Ford Sierra had run out of petrol and he had hitch hiked home to get the Polo so he could then go and get some petrol. At this point officers smelt alcohol on his breath and requested a roadside breath test. This proved positive and the reading was 45 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath," she said.

The legal limit is 35 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

In interview Bowman, of Parklands, Ufford, agreed he had driven both cars and addressing the court he said: "I realise it was a huge mistake and I am really sorry."

The 26-year-old was fined £60 with £55 costs. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Edward Josey, of Faulkeners Way, Trimley, was also banned after he pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit and failing to stop after an accident.

The incident happened on November 22 last year when Josey was driving his J registration Rover in Felixstowe. Police were called to near the dock gate where the accident had happened.

Miss Piggin, prosecuting said: "The J registration Rover had been involved in an accident with a bollard. The vehicle only came to a stop for a short time and then drove off. The car was traced to Josey and officers went to his home where they saw the car in the driveway.

"They smelt alcohol on his breath and the reading at the police station was 69 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath."

In mitigation to not stopping the 56-year-old said: "I did stop and realised there had been damage to the car. My wife then drove it to a garage to find out the extent and we were advised to get the car of the highway which we did by taking it home."

Josey was disqualified for 18 months which will be reduced by four months if he completes a probation course aimed at drink drivers. He was also fined £150 and has to pay £55 costs. He was given no separate penalty for failing to stop after an accident.