A HOMELESS man who served in the army has been banned for 40 months after committing a second drink-driving offence while on bail for the first.

Mark Edward Smith, 54, appeared before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court on Tuesday for two drink-driving offences in a matter of months.

David Kelly, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances surrounding the first incident on March 21.

“Police received information from members of the public that a vehicle driving maybe involved in a drink driving offence.

“The vehicle was found by officers.”

Smith was stopped on Stanhope Road in Carlisle. During tests, the lowest of the two drink-driving tests completed in police custody showed he had 66 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

“He was charged with that offence and bailed to appear at court and was supposed to appear in April,” continued prosecutor David Kelly.

“A new matter is why the defendant appears before the court this morning.”

Mr Kelly outlined the circumstances surrounding his second arrest, this time while on bail.

“Police received information from members of the public that the defendant was in a public house and was seen leaving said premises at 6.15pm,” continued Mr Kelly, “obviously driving the same vehicle.”

He was again stopped by officers and the subsequent drink-drive tests found him to have 106 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

The court heard how Smith has a history of drink-drive offences, with the latest coming in 2013.

Paul Tweddle, defending, said his client had been furloughed from his job and was now homeless.

“He was ordered out by his partner in May, but thanks to Pro Nova, which is operated by ex-forces charities, he is hoping to move into Raffles Avenue,” outlined Mr Tweddle.

Mr Tweddle said life had not been kind to Smith in the last few months and that he had been battling mental health issues.

After an adjournment to allow for a pre-sentence report, Smith was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

Smith was banned from driving for 40 months.