MOTOR mechanic Keith Mayo was banned from driving for three years after he was caught drink driving for the second time in five years.

Mayo, 54, of Greenbridge Road, was seen by police driving a Mercedes saloon fast along Marlowe Avenue during the early hours, prosecutor Karen Boyes told Swindon magistrates yesterday.

When they stopped him they noticed his breath smelled of alcohol. He failed three times to give enough breath for a roadside breath test and he was taken back to Westlea police station where an intoxometer reading of 68 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath was recorded, she said. The legal limit is 35.

Mayo, who admitted driving with excess alcohol, was banned for a year in December 1999 and fined £400 for drink driving,

Tony Novogrodski, defending, said Mayo had drunk a couple of beers with friends when another friend, who had just lost his father-in-law, arrived. He stayed to comfort him and had more to drink.

When he was stopped by the police he panicked and by the time he got to the police station Mayo was trembling, he said.

Losing his licence would have a big impact not just on him, but also on his son who lived some distance away.

Magistrates fined him £500 with £50 costs.