A BANNED driver was on his way to buy cough medicine for his wife when he was caught drink-driving in Ely. Jonas Stepakovas, 33, of St Mary s Street, Ely, appeared before city magistrates on Thursday, when he was handed a two-month prison sentence, suspen

A BANNED driver was on his way to buy cough medicine for his wife when he was caught drink-driving in Ely.

Jonas Stepakovas, 33, of St Mary's Street, Ely, appeared before city magistrates on Thursday, when he was handed a two-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

He was banned from driving for three years, and must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £60 costs

Prosecuting, Sally Rose said Stepakovas was stopped by police on Friday, October 17.

"Officers stopped a green Audi that was being driven so that is crossed the central white line. His breath smelt of alcohol."

Stepakovas' breath test reading was 65 mcgs of alcohol in 100ml of breath, when the legal limit is 35 mcgs."

Christina Metcalfe, defending, said: "The assumption had been that Mr Stepakovas' wife would be driving. She could not drive because of coughing, so my client foolishly took over and drove.