A ROMSEY man who was drink-driving whilst reading has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Paul Grant, 41, of Tadburn Road, was stopped by police after driving a silver 03-reg Honda Civic on the M3 and the B3335 on June 29.

His alcohol reading was 139 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35, making him four times the legal limit.

Magistrates in Basingstoke said the offence was extremely serious with Grant’s driving posing a danger to the public and that he was also reading at the wheel and drinking alcohol. The reading matter was not stated.

Grant admitted the charge and was jailed for 12 months with the sentence suspended for 18 months.

He was also disqualified for 36 months. He was also subject to an 18-month community order with a 16-session drink-impaired driving programme and up to 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

Magistrates also ordered he pay a £122 victim surcharge.

The ban will be cut by 36 weeks if Grant passes an approved driving course.

There was no order for costs because of a lack of means.