A WINSFORD man has escaped jail 'by the skin of his teeth' after he was caught drink driving just two months after he was disqualified for three years.

James Cooper, 18, of Maidwell Close, was given a three year ban in April but was stopped by police when he was spotted driving erratically on the A54 Oakmere Road.

The incident happened at 11.58pm on September 18 and when police officers stopped the White Vauxhall Astra he was driving Cooper failed to produce a sample.

He was arrested and taken to Northwich Police Station where it was discovered he was disqualified from driving and tests revealed he was over the drink driving limit. Scott Harding, defending, said: "He was asked to drive the car by two girls he knew who owned the vehicle.

"He had been drinking during the day at a friend's house but did not think he was still over the limit when he drove the car. I do not think sending him to prison will prevent him from committing further offences and I ask you to give him one more chance."

Geoff Langham, chairman of the bench, told Cooper: "You will not be going to custody due partly to what Mr Harding has told us.

"You have escaped by the skin of your teeth."

Cooper was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order and 80 hours' community punishment.

He was also asked to pay £20 court costs.

Mr Langham ordered Cooper to catch up with payments of fines from previous offences which he had not paid for 10 weeks.