A MAN found to be more than two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit has been banned from the road for 22 months.

Kevin Finnegan, 41, asked why he had received such a ban for his first offence?

Magistrates told him he was dealt with within the sentencing guidelines and if he did not feel he had been dealt with fairly then he had the right to appeal to the crown court.

Finnegan, of Reeves Road in Great Boughton, Chester, was also fined £120 with £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

He had received an interim ban when he first pleaded guilty earlier in the month.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said on November 17 an officer finishing his afternoon shift came across a Ford Focus at Llay Road, Rossett, which had steam coming from the bonnet and the windscreen was smashed.

Finnegan, the driver, was arrested after he provided a positive breath test and at the police station he provided an alcohol reading of 89 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath compared to the legal limit of 35.

Interviewed, he told how he had turned a corner and lost control.

Bethan Jones, defending, said her client had been compliant with the police and had no previous convictions.

There had been a domestic argument, he had been asked to leave and he did so but unfortunately drove.

It turned out the cam belt had gone on the vehicle and it was scrapped.

Finnegan and his partner had two children aged 10 and 15 and a driving ban would clearly impact on the family, said Miss Jones.