A CARE ASSISTANT has been banned from driving after being over the alcohol limit while behind the wheel.

Chilesto Shati was stopped by police in Newhaven Road in Lewes while more than double the drink-drive limit.

The 36-year-old had 97 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath when tested by officers.

The legal limit is 35mcg per 100ml.

Shati, of Northdown Road in Newhaven, appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court where he was also found guilty of driving without insurance and without a licence.

He was banned for two years and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

The court also ordered him to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Police say 240 drivers were stopped during a drink-driving crackdown over the festive period.

Among them was decorator Graham Hazell who was stopped in Greenway in Horsham. He tested positive for 74mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

At Crawley Magistrates’ Court the 68-year-old, of Hamilton Road in Horsham, was banned for 18 months and ordered to pay a £250 fine, along with £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Police also stopped 22-year-old telephonist Tyler Thompson in North Road in Brighton on December 22.

He was charged with driving with 80mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

Thompson, of Marden Close in Brighton, was banned for three years and ordered to pay a £364 fine, £85 court costs, and £36 victim surcharge.

Police chiefs said they were “bitterly disappointed” that so many drivers had ignored the dangers of drink-driving over the festive period.