MAGISTRATES have sentenced a man to 12 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 weeks after he was twice caught in charge of a car whilst drunk.

At Bolton Magistrates’ Court, Shaun Carroll claimed that he did not know it was illegal to be over the drink-drive limit when in charge of a vehicle, but justices told him he he would have been aware of the law after he was caught a second time whilst on bail.

The court heard that Carroll, aged 53, of Bar Lane, Astley Bridge, committed the first offence on September 8 when he was in charge of a VW Polo in Holland Street having consumed three times the alcohol limit.

Then on September 25 he was caught again with the car in Andrew Lane whilst four times over the limit.

Carroll denied committing the offences but was found guilty following a trial. He admitted possessing cannabis.

In addition to the suspended jail sentence, Carroll will be subject to supervision by the probation service for 12 months and must participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was also banned from holding a driving licence for 12 months and was ordered to pay a total of £565 in costs and charges.