A WORLD-RENOWNED Botox specialist has been convicted of driving his Mercedes while under the influence of alcohol in Chester.

Dr Rajeev Acquilla, 44, of Warrington Road, Mickle Trafford, pleaded not guilty to drink-driving on Vicar’s Lane on August 31 last year.

But he failed to attend his trial at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday (January 8) and was found guilty in his absence.

Acquilla, who jets around the world giving presentations on the latest facial cosmetic procedures, was fined £7,500 by District Judge Nicholas Sanders.

He was also disqualified from driving for 14 months and must pay £620 court costs and a £170 victim surcharge.

The court heard no evidence in his defence due to his absence, but The Standard attended his previous hearing at the same court in November last year.

It was said that Acquilla was stopped after leaving Chester railway station, following a trip to London, and recorded 50 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

He claimed only to have drunk one gin and tonic an hour before he was pulled over and it was suggested that dietary issues may have skewed the breath test result.

Acquilla is said to be an expert in Botox and facial cosmetic procedures and spends much of his time lecturing in countries across the globe.

He also runs a clinic in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, as well as in London and Ibiza.