A MAN who was caught drink-driving with no licence, insurance or MoT then failed to appear in court has been given a suspended sentence.

Derek Bourdon, 57, also known as Derek Dines, of Stock Lane in Landford, was stopped on March 26 last year at Plaitford while driving a Transit van.

He was found to have 55mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35mcg – and did not have the correct licence.

Magistrates in Southampton were due to hear his case on April 24, but Bourdon did not turn up at court.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. They also ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and banned him from driving for three years.