A 32-year-old man has been banned from driving for 18 months after he admitted driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

Appearing in Magistrates’ Court this morning, Tapiwa Maringazuva was also fined $1,200 for the offence that took place in Pembroke on April 22.

The court heard that police officers spotted a car turning west on to Church Street against the flow of traffic.

They stopped the car and as they spoke to Maringazuva, noticed that his eyes were glazed and his breath smelled of drink.

Asked if he had been drinking, the Smith’s resident said: “I had three drinks at Ambiance.”

He was arrested and taken to Hamilton Police Station, where it was determined that he had 137 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood — the legal limit is 80mg.

Maringazuva apologised for his behaviour and said it was an error of judgment that would not happen again.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo disqualified him from driving all vehicles for 18 months.

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