A BANNED driver who was found to be over the drink-drive limit was caught after his vehicle ran out of petrol, Worcester magistrates were told.

David Hodge had been disqualified not once, but twice when he drove his Sherpa van along the M5 past Worcester.

Kerry Moreton, prosecuting, said Hodge had been given a year-long ban in February, this year, and then a four-year disqualification in August.

"He was driving northwards when his van ran out of petrol near Junction 6 of the motorway," she said.

"Police officers on patrol stopped him as he made his way towards a service station."

Hodge, aged 27, claimed his name was "Albert Hodge" when he was quizzed and asked to take a breath-test, which proved positive.

At Worcester police station a reading showed Hodge to have 76mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the legal limit is 35mcg in 100ml.

The officers eventually discovered his real name to be David Hodge, a banned driver.

It also came to light that Newport magistrates had issued a warrant for his arrest, after Hodge had failed to appear before them to answer a charge of driving while twice over the legal limit for alcohol.

Hodge, of Lea Road, Wolverhampton, admitted driving while disqualified, driving with excess alcohol, and obstructing police.

"My client realised he was in jeopardy," said Andrew Childs, defending.

He said Hodge had been driving the van because he had taken his girlfriend, then six months' pregnant, to visit relatives.

The court jailed Hodge for a total of six months, but did not award prosecution costs. He was also given another four-year driving ban.