A drink-driver caught at a roadside breath test checkpoint was banned from the roads for 18 months at Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Ruben Viera was stopped on Hermitage Road, Devonshire, on October 7, the court heard.

Police suspected Viera was over the limit and asked him if he had been drinking. The 34-year-old said: “Yes, but just a beer.”

Police arrested Viera, from Somerset, and took him to Hamilton Police Station for another breath test, which can be used as evidence in court.

The results showed he had 155 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood — almost double the legal limit.

Sarah Viera, the defendant’s sister, who helped with translation, said that her brother was sorry and had learnt his lesson.

Magistrate Tyrone Chin fined Viera $1,500.

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