Sunderland motorist was more than four times the drink-drive limit

Richard Atchison was stopped by officers from Durham Special Constabulary on the A19, near Easington, on April 20.

He failed a roadside breath test and was found to have 148 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Atchison, 60, of Piccadilly, Lakeside, Sunderland, admitted drink driving when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.

He was given an eight-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, and was banned from driving for 40 months.