A BANNED driver who was caught at the wheel of his car while committing his second drink driving offence has been given a 14-week prison sentence.

Oliver William Wines had never had a driving licence and was recognised by a police officer driving through Chard just a few months after he had been disqualified.

When the officer spoke to the defendant he could smell alcohol on his breath and Wines then failed a breath test at the roadside.

When he appeared before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil they told him that he had a “terrible driving record” and had bought the car during the period of his disqualification.

As a result they said the matters before them were so serious that custody was their only option.

Wines, 26, of Holyrood Street, Chard, pleaded guilty to driving a Ford Mondeo on the A358 at Chard on March 11 while disqualified.

He also admitted driving the vehicle after consuming excess alcohol and without insurance.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that a police officer was on duty on the A358 near Chard at 6pm when he saw a Ford Mondeo driving past and recognised Wines who he believed was a disqualified driver.

“He was stopped on Knowle Lane and smelt of alcohol, subsequently failed a roadside breath test and was arrested,” she said.

“Checks were carried out which confirmed his disqualification status after he had been given a six month ban on December 11, 2018 as a totter.”

The court was told that there was also a previous conviction for drink driving in 2012 leaving him liable to a minimum three year ban.

Probation officer Cheryl Steer said that Wines had a very poor driving record and drove on this occasion because he had been offered a day’s work and did not think about his disqualification.

“He was more concerned about earning some money and doing a day’s work and said he had the car because he was doing it up for his partner who had recently passed her test,” she said.

“He drank a can of cider after work on an empty stomach and did not believe he was over the limit.

“He expresses genuine remorse and is very regretful as he has now lost his work and his partner and family are very disappointed in him.”

Defending solicitor Sam Morton added that Wines had a very good work ethic and wanted to make good the mistakes he had made.

The magistrates sentenced the defendant to a total of 14 weeks in custody and ordered him to pay a £115 victim surcharge on his release.

However, the defendant made an immediate appeal against his sentence and the term of imprisonment was suspended awaiting the outcome of a hearing at Taunton Crown Court.

An application for bail, which was heard by a different bench, agreed he could be released on bail in the interim period.