A REPEAT offender drink driver from Wareham has narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

Adam Mason was more than three times the legal limit when he was stopped by officers on Badger Farm Road near Winchester on October 22, a court was told.

Mason's alcohol reading was 120 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35.

Mason, 59, of Forest Edge Road, Wareham, pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates Court.

The magistrates jailed him for ten weeks but suspended the sentence for 12 months with a 12-month supervision period.

They told him they could suspend the sentence because of his recognition of the wrong doing and his addressing of his alcohol problem. There were also "personal circumstances that led to a relapse" although the details were not specified on the court record.

Mason was banned from driving for four years and must undertake 140 hours unpaid work with up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity. He must also pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs.