A DRINK-DRIVER from Caergwle who crashed his car into a Royal Mail van which then ran over a postal worker has received a 46-month driving ban.

Steven Davies, 46, of Mold Road, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving without due care and attention on the morning of November 6 in the incident on Lache Lane, Chester.

It was the second time in the past four years Davies had been convicted of drink-driving, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, November 23.

Prosecuting, Alan Currums told the court Davies said he had had about eight or nine pints the night before in Handbridge and believed he was fine to get behind the wheel of his Nissan Cube.

But when, at 9am, he went to overtake the parked Royal Mail van on Lache Lane, he spotted an oncoming vehicle.

He swerved to the left to avoid the oncoming vehicle but instead hit the back of the van, where postal worker Alan Green was working with Matthew Sefton.

Mr Green was by the side of the vehicle and fell, with the van running over him.

It was initially believed Mr Green's injuries were life-threatening and he was taken to Aintree Hospital by air ambulance, but after treatment his injuries, while substantial, were less serious than first thought, the court heard.

Mr Green had multiple broken ribs, a pelvis wound and a laceration to the leg, but was expected to make a full recovery.

Police had attended and Davies was found nearby at Westminster Park in shock.

A breath test revealed he had 74 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35.

In police interview, Davies said he was within the speed limit and did not think his perception had been affected.

He was very apologetic for his actions.

The one previous conviction he had was for drink-driving, for which he was fined £650 and handed a 24-month driving ban.

No compensation order was put forward by the prosecution as that was to be settled later by insurers, Mr Currum added.

Defending, Michael Gray said Davies was extremely remorseful for what had taken place and had co-operated with police at every stage.

The incident had had a profound effect on him and he had started taking counselling.

A report from probation said Davies should have known from the last time he was on a rehabilitation course how long it takes alcohol to pass through the system.

Davies was a low risk of reconviction, the court heard.

Chair of magistrates Clive Mason said: "We won't go into detail again on the dreadful repercussions of that day, you have clearly shown remorse, but this is the second offence in three and a bit years."

As well as the 46-month driving ban, Davies was handed a 12-month community order with 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and must complete 100 hours unpaid work.

He was not offered a drink-drive rehabilitation course and his licence would be endorsed for careless driving.

He must also pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.