A FAKE grass specialist has been jailed for 14 weeks after drink-driving – despite having been disqualified for previous offences.

Peter Ronald Blackbourn, of Tayside, Darlington, was pulled over in his Audi A3 by police just off Neasham Road in the town, at 3.50am on April 8.

He failed a roadside breath test, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard yesterday as he pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance.

The 23-year-old was found to be twice the drink-drive limit and came just a month after two court appearances for refusing to provide a breath or blood test for drink-driving.

Blackbourn was under the shadow of a suspended prison sentence from last month's convictions.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating on behalf of Blackbourn, said he had mental health issues, some of which were brought about as a result of binge drinking.

"On the night in question he had been drinking at home," he said. "He had no intention of driving a motor vehicle and had advertised his car for sale on ebay. He has been seeing a young lady who lives in the Neasham Road area of Darlington. The relationship is in its infancy but she is telling him she is pregnant. He is not sure about that.

"That night she called him to say she was unwell and he had better get across there quickly.

"Against his better judgement, he went."

Blackbourn had been prescribed anti-alcohol drugs to make him sick if he had a drink, but there had been a mix-up with medical notes and he had ended up without a prescription for a period of time.

"This young man recognises what the issue is," said Mr Andrews. "He is engaging with professionals to get this problem resolved."

Mr Andrews said his client had brought a bag with him knowing he could be sent to prison and said: "He really is in the last chance saloon. He knows how this works."

Magistrates heard that Blackbourn was a hard-working young businessman with an artificial grass business, but that trade had been slow over the winter and that he had been struggling to deal with poor mental health, alcohol problems and other physical health issues.

Despite this he managed to keep the business afloat and had a bulging order book for the year ahead, Mr Andrews said.

However, magistrates activated the suspended sentence of 14 weeks, ordered him to pay a £400 fine and banned him from driving for three more years. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.