A MAN has been banned from driving for a year after being found almost two times over the limit.

On Saturday, January 23, Paul O'Hara, of Juniper Road, Firsdown, was found in a car in a layby on Winterslow Road, Porton, surround by beer cans following information from the public.

O'Hara, 54, was then arrested and taken to Melksham Police Station, where he provided a positive sample almost two times the limit.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to drive a vehicle over the alcohol limit and was disqualified for 12 months and fined £120, as well as being ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge, at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday (May 7).

O’Hara will have the disqualification reduced to 13 weeks if he attends a driving course by December.

'A positive result'

PC Juliet Cox of the Salisbury Community Policing Team said: “Those in the local community and surrounding villages will be aware of this case and I am pleased that we have be able to deliver a positive result.

“Due to reports of a large number of beer cans being left in the local area, we carried out extra patrols.

“As a result of these patrols and the help of the local community, O’Hara was arrested.

“I hope this sentence will not only give O’Hara a chance to reflect on his actions and change but also highlight how police work, supported by the local community, can make a real impact.

“I would like to thank everyone that helped and supported this small operation, especially PCSO Pippa Brewer for being so determined in her investigation and organising an excellent job and outcome.”

Get more Salisbury news. 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.

z