A LYPIATT man who drove a van while more than two and a half times over the legal alcohol limit has been spared a disqualification by Cheltenham Magistrates.

The court found there were special reasons not to impose the usually obligatory ban of at least 12 months on Colin Law, aged 43, of Middle Lypiatt.

Law admitted driving a Transit van near his home on October 6 last year when he had an alcohol reading of 91mcgs on his breath.

The legal limit is 35mcgs.

The special reasons which saved him from a ban were given by the court as: “Shortness of distance driven on a road believed to be private land.”

Law was fined £576 and had 10 penalty points endorsed on his licence.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £230 surcharge.