Today we name five people who have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in Darlington and County Durham.

They all appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court where they pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with an alcohol level above the legal limit.

  • Liam Faulkner, 22, of Spennymoor, County Durham, was behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra on Morley Lane, Brancepeth, when he was apprehended on August 1, 2023.

A breathalyser test revealed a proportion of 59 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

He was fined £500 and banned from driving for 16 months. Successful completion of a course by July 13, 2024, would result in a 16-week reduction.

He was also ordered to pay a £200 and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

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  • Cody Morrow, 20, of Third Street, Horden, County Durham, was driving a Volkswagen Polo along Bede Way when he was apprehended on August 5.

A breathalyser test showed the proportion of 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres, surpassing the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for 15 months with a potential reduction of 15 weeks given a successful course completion.

He was also fined £346 with additional costs totalling £223.

  • Scott Armstrong, 42, of Frosterley Gardens, in Stanley, had been driving his Vauxhall Meriva on Front Street, Consett, when he was stopped on August 5.

A breathalyser test found he had with 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

He was disqualified from driving for 38 months and fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a surcharge of £48.

  • Adam Burnicle, 34, Glamis Terrace, Evenwood, was caught on August 5, driving a Range Rover on West Auckland Road, Darlington, after consuming enough alcohol to produce a breathalyser reading of 61 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath — surpassing the legal limit.

He was banned from driving for 36 months and fined £833, as well as ordered to pay £85 towards the Crown Prosecution Service and a £333 surcharge.

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  • Phillip Kacis, 42, of Darlington, was behind the wheel of a Skoda Octavia when he was apprehended along Salters Lane North, in Darlington, on February 26.

He had an alcohol blood level of 268 milligrammes in 100 millilitres, more than the prescribed limit.

Kacis was banned from driving for 26 months, with the opportunity for a 26-week reduction in he completes a course.

He also received a community order, with a requirement to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, ending on September 3, 2024.

On top of this, Kacis was ordered to pay costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £85 and a surcharge of £114.