Wigan motorist gets ten-year ban for third drink-driving offence

Wigan magistrates heard that Mariusz Matala was more than three times over the limit after his latest breath test when police stopped a VW Golf on Queen Street on May 2.

Saying that he had clearly not learnt lessons from his previous brushes with the law, they imposed a four-month custodial sentence but suspended it for 12 months.

The bench also took the unusual step of imposing a 10-year disqualification from the road on the 38-year-old. In order to drive legitimately again thereafter, Matala will have to undertake an extended driving test.

He also faces a £213 bill comprising court costs and a victim services surcharge. Matala had pleaded guilty to drink-driving - he gave a reading of 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes - and to driving without insurance.

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