A DRIVER who was nearly four times the legal alcohol limit has avoided a prison term.

Devon Malley, 31, of Stockbridge Road, Sutton Scotney, was caught by police on October 23 driving a Land Rover Freelander on the A303 near Micheldever.

His alcohol reading was 126 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35. Malley pleaded guilty.

Magistrates in Basingstoke jailed him for eight weeks but suspended the sentence for 24 months.

They cited the very high alcohol reading and the poor manner of his driving as aggravating features.

Malley was banned from the road for 30 months and ordered to pay a £122 victim surcharge and £85 costs. There is also a rehabilitation activity requirement for up to ten days.

The ban will be cut by 30 weeks if he passes and approved driving course by August 8 2021.