A NINETEEN-year-old Worcester student was banned from driving for two years after being caught driving the wrong way on a city street while over the drink-drive limit.

James Bill, who is in his second year of A-levels at Worcester Sixth Form College, had enjoyed a night of drinking in the city centre on Thursday, November 27, before walking back to a friend's house in Martley.

When he found his friend was not at home, Bill drove his own car - a red Seat Ibiza - back into Worcester to meet up with him.

At around 1.15am he drove down Worcester's Angel Street to Angel Place, before turning right - into a no entry area - and travelling the wrong way down the Butts.

Police officers followed the car into a nearby car park, where they stopped the vehicle, and, having noticed his slurred speech, ordered Bill to take a breath test.

He was found to have 83mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - almost two-and-a-half times the legal limit of 35mcg per 100ml.

"Having considered the amount he drank, the gaps between his drinking and the hour-long walk back to Martley, my client felt safe enough to drive," said Martin Kent-Davis, defending.

"He is deeply ashamed of what he has done and knows has let himself and his parents down.

"However, he is very mature and I'm certain that you will not see this young man in court again."

Bill, from Rock, near Bewdley, pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday to a charge of drink-driving .

He was disqualified from driving for two years, fined £100 and ordered to pay £43 in costs for his "serious error of judgement".