A serving county councillor has been banned from driving after he got behind the wheel while over the legal limit for alcohol.
Coun Ian Hutchinson, who represents the Haltwhistle ward on Northumberland County Council, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 1.
Coun Hutchinson, of Hunter Avenue in Blyth, pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle when above the legal limit for alcohol.
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The councillor was on Plessey Avenue in Blyth when he was found to have 48 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the legal limit is 35mg.
Coun Hutchinson was fined £288, ordered to pay costs of £85 and handed a 12-month driving ban - although he was offered the opportunity to undertake a drink-driving course to reduce the ban.
Northumberland County Council has confirmed that the Conservative councillor has stepped down from his position as chairman of the council's licensing committee. A spokesman for the council said: "We can confirm Cllr Hutchinson has resigned from the licensing committee," but declined to comment on the matter further.
Speaking via a spokesman, Coun Hutchinson told the Local Democracy Service: "This was out of character. I totally apologise for my behaviour. This incident took place close to my home."
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