A drink driver has been banned from the roads after he was spotted "travelling at speed" through a city centre.
Alan Webb had been out socialising in Newcastle for his sister's birthday when he decided to get behind the wheel of his Audi in order to park it in a safer place. However, he soon came to the attention of a patrolling officer near the Swan House Roundabout and he was stopped.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that it was clear the 26-year-old was drunk and he later a failed a roadside breath test, giving a reading of 55mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35. Webb, of Grovesnor Place, in Jesmond, was arrested and pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
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Rehana Haque, prosecuting, said an officer was on Dean Street, in Newcastle, on April 6 this year to observe traffic in the area. Ms Haque continued: "It's a 20mph speed limit and the officer sees a black Audi travelling towards the Swan House Roundabout. His attention was drawn to the vehicle because of its high speed.
"The officer followed the vehicle and activated his blue lights and got the vehicle to stop on Osborne Road. He spoke to the driver, who showed clear signs of being drunk. The driver, this defendant, confirmed he had been drinking."
Magistrates were told that Webb had no past convictions and had driven a "relatively short distance" in order to park his car, which had been parked up in the city centre, to a safer place. Adrian Ions, defending, added: "It's always sad when you see people before the court for the first time because they have done something very stupid."
Webb was fined £170, must pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge and was banned from the roads for 12 months.
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