A MAN was caught drink-driving twice in the space of a week, a Teesside court heard.

Kevin Bell, 57, admitted driving with excess alcohol in Thornaby on October 4 and October 11.

Prosecutor Carol McMullen said that he was nearly twice the legal limit on both occasions.

The court heard yesterday that Bell was in poor health and extremely lame, and used his car to go a short distance to the corner shop.

Ian Hudson, defending, said: "He has now sold his car, despite his lack of mobility, and will not trouble a court again."

Bell, of Heslop Street, Thornaby, was fined £150 by magistrates in Middlesbrough for the first offence and £500 for the second. He was banned from driving for five years.

Court chairman John Bibby told him: "You have narrowly escaped a prison sentence due to your poor health and your previous good record."