A DRINK-driver who holds only a provisional licence said he was "set up" after he was caught behind the wheel by police.
Mark Dobbins, aged 53, of Upton Snodsbury, Worcester, was caught driving a Honda CR-V outside a pub by an unmarked police car in Berry Lane, Upton Warren, at 9.40pm on May 13.
Defending himself, Dobbins said: "I have nothing to say. Well I had been out drinking. I asked the police officer- he was actually outside the pub entrance - I think I was set up."
The court heard that Dobbins had a reading of 53 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said: "He admitted straight away he was only a provisional licence holder.
"He provided a roadside breath test.
"He was arrested and taken to Worcester Police Station. He provided two samples of breath - the lowest of these two was 53 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath."
He had been previously convicted of a similar offence in 2005.
Dobbins, who works as a loader, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without insurance or a licence at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 31.
He was given credit for his early guilty plea.
He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.
Dobbins was fined £340, a further £150 for no insurance and £100 for no licence. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £35.
He was offered a Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course, which if completed to a satisfactory standard, will reduce his overall ban by up to a quarter.
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