A NORTHWICH man caught behind the wheel while more than three times the drink-drive limit is among a number of motorists recently banned from the roads at court.

Taruvinga Mabika, of Chester Road, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on April 12 where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

The 48-year-old was caught travelling along Chester Road in a Vauxhall Astra on March 16 earlier this year.

A breathalyser test showed Mabika had 110 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath - well above the legal limit of 35.

Taking his plea into account, magistrates disqualified Mabika from driving for two years and handed him a 12-month community order.

As part of that, he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay court costs of £120 and a surcharge of £114.

On the same day, Josephine Hatton, of Nursery Road, Barnton, also admitted drink-driving when appearing before magistrates.

The court heard the 64-year-old had been driving a Ford Fiesta in Nursery Road when she was caught on March 15.

A subsequent breathalyser test showed Hatton had 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of her breath - more than twice the limit.

The bench banned her from driving for 20 months and fined her £550, on top of which she must also pay £120 court costs and a £220 surcharge.

Finally, Hilario da Costa also appeared in the dock at Chester Magistrates Court on April 12.

The 42-year-old, of Norbury Street, Northwich, was caught in a Vauxhall Astra in New Road, Winsford, on March 16.

Da Costa, who was also charged with driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, had 45 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath.

He admitted both offences before magistrates fined him £400 and disqualified him for 14 months.

The bench also ordered him to pay £120 in court costs and a £160 surcharge.