A WORCESTER man has narrowly avoided jail after admitting getting behind the wheel when he was over the drink drive limit.

Damian Cowtan, of St Paul's Hostel in Tallow Hill, admitted the offence, and being in breach of a suspended jail sentence for an assault, when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday.

Prosecuting Leslie Ashton said the 32-year-old, formerly of Malvern, was pulled over by police in Broad Street, Worcester, in the early hours of January 20.

Cowtan failed a roadside breath test, and gave a reading at Worcester police station of 65mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the legal limit being 35mcg.

Defending, Charles Hobbs said that

Cowtan, who owed more than £800 in outstanding fines, had co-operated with police and asked for credit to be given for his early guilty plea.

Mr Hobbs added Cowtan could lose his job, and was stressed as his daughter could go into care.

Magistrates did not activate the suspended jail sentence, instead extending it by six months until September.

He was disqualified from driving for three years. Cowtan was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £135 costs and a victim surcharge of £30 - a total of £285.