A DRINK driving dad-of-five made 'a stupid mistake' when he was caught at more than twice the limit - and had done it all before.

Martin Berrow admitted driving with excess alcohol in Malvern when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The father, who has been able to keep his job thanks to a supportive employer, told magistrates: "It was a stupid mistake your Honour - and it's going to cost me dearly."

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Police became suspicious as a result of Berrow's driving, including his speeding in a residential area. He later accelerated away from police before he ended up 'in a dead end'.

The 40-year of Barnards Close, Malvern, was stopped in the town's Five Oaks Close on December 22 last year. After Berrow failed a roadside breath test, an evidential specimen was secured at the police station. A reading of 74mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath was recorded, more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg.

Liz Blacklock, prosecuting, said: "In the early hours of the morning the police were driving along in search of the defendant's car. It had been seen in suspicious circumstances that morning."

Mis Blacklock said the car was being driven at speeds 'beyond 30mph' in a residential area. "It also appeared to take the wrong side of the roundabout and police activated their lights. The defendant's vehicle appeared to accelerate at this point. It did eventually end up in a dead end," said Miss Blacklock.

Berrow was told to stop but the engine was still running, music was playing and the headlights were on.

"It's believed Mr Berrow did, initially, attempt to evade police" she said.

The court heard how he had two drink driving convictions from 2002 and 2003 and two drug driving convictions from February 9, 2017 for offences on December 22, 2017. The drug offences involved two different drugs being found in his system at the same time.

Because it is the second time Berrow has been caught driving under the influence of either drink or drugs within 10 years he was told an obligatory disqualification of three years was on the cards.

Sam Lamsdale, defending, said the offence happened after Berrow, a welding supervisor and father-of-five, had split from his long term partner 'about four months before this and had been finding life very difficult in the lead up to this offence'.

"He had driven a short distance in the Malvern area to where his children lived" she said.

She said the fact that his employer was at court to support him reflected the high regard in which he was held. "He hopes he will be able to continue his employment after today" she said.

Magistrates fined him £410, ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £41 and prosecution costs of £135. The bench banned him for driving for 40 months. However, they offered him the drink drivers' rehabilitation course which, if completed successfully, will reduce the length of the disqualification by 40 weeks.