A Monmouth man convicted of drink driving told magistrates he had made a "stupid mistake".

James Walker, of New Dixton Road, was banned from driving for 18 months and will pay a total of £200 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to driving while above the legal alcohol limit at Newport Crown Court last Thursday (21st July).

Mark Salter, prosecuting, said Walker drove his Mazda along Dixton Close "at excessive speed" in the early hours of Saturday 25th June.

"At 2.30am, police on patrol duty stopped the vehicle and the defendent gave a positive road-side breath test," said Mr Salter.

A second breath test at the police station recorded 66 micrograms of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath – almost double the legal limit.

Walker, representing himself, told magistrates it was "just stupidness".

"I was under the influence and made the judgement to go driving at that time – it was just a stupid mistake," said the 21-year-old.

"I'm at university doing a degree, I'm not a bad person. I did a stupid thing at the wrong time."

Walker was banned from driving for 18 months, reduced to 14 months if he successfully completes a 'driver rehabilitation course'.

He was fined £100 by magistrates and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a 'victim surcharge' of £15.