A MAN whose car was stopped by police because of the noise his tyres made as he drove off has been banned from driving for three years after he was found to be over the drink drive limit.

Reece John Williams, 28, was at the time on his way to see his girlfriend in hospital.

He was found to have an alcohol reading of 61 microgrammes compared to the legal limit of 35.

But North East Wales Magistrates Court at Mold heard he had a previous similar conviction back in 2016.

His solicitor Melissa Griffiths said that there had been a fault with one of the tyres which made the noise.

He had stopped to check what the problem was with the rear tyre when the police arrived and breath-tested him.

It was not that he had driven off quickly.

She told how Williams had been to a friend's house and had some drink there.

He had not been planning to drive and he had used public transport to get there.

But he had a call to say that his girlfriend had been taken to hospital and he had been given the use of the van to go and see her.

It was, she said, properly insured.

Williams, of Queen Street in Treuddyn, admitted driving a white Fiat van at Chester Road, Oakenholt, on January 30 when he was over the drink-drive limit.

In addition to the three year ban, he was fined £200 with £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.