A MAN has been disqualified from driving after causing a crash on a Whitchurch main road while more than twice over the limit.

Modris Murnieks, 39 and from Shropshire Street, Market Drayton, appeared in Telford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, April 27, charged with drink driving and dangerous driving.

He until recently lived at 20 Grindley Brook near Whitchurch.

Both charges relate to an incident on November 8, 2020, when Modris was involved in a crash with another vehicle on the A41 in Higher Heath.

Prosecuting, Abigail Hall told the court how Modris, a factory worker from Latvia, was driving his Alfa Romeo along the A41 at Higher Heath at around 1.30pm, when he attempted to overtake a lorry.

In doing so, Modris crossed the solid white lines and collided with a Toyota travelling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the Toyota was taken to hospital and was reported to have potentially suffered five broken ribs.

Modris was breathalysed at the scene, where he was found to have 73 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, just over twice the limit of 35 microgrammes.

He was then arrested and taken into custody.

In interviews with police, Modris confirmed he was the driver of the vehicle.

He also believed it was a broken line in the road so believed he could overtake, but was shown photographs that proved otherwise.

Modris, who had no previous convictions, stated he had drunk one beer at the time of the crash and expressed remorse for what had happened.

Representing himself in court, Modris pleaded guilty to both charges and said he was 'sorry' for the incident.

"I'm really sorry for what I did, it is unacceptable to drive like that, especially drinking and driving," he said.

"Everyone is okay so it could be worse, it is what it is, nothing more to say, just sorry.

"It's definitely not enough to say sorry."

Chairman of the bench, David Silcock, said Modris could have been given a prison sentence.

"We've looked at our guidelines, this is a real serious matter," said Mr Silcock.

"Potentially this could have crossed the custody threshold."

With his guilty plea taken into account, Modris was given a community order of 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for two years.