A DRINK driver caught near Winchester has been banned and then had his appeal rejected.

Henry Hannon, 41, was stopped by police on July 2 on the A34 whilst driving a 65-reg Range Rover.

His alcohol reading was 64 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly double the legal limit.

Hannon denied the charge but was convicted at trial.

He applied for the ban to be suspended pending an appeal, but then did not attend the subsequent hearing and the application rejected by magistrates in Basingstoke.

Hannon, of Cadley Road, Marlborough, was also accused of speeding on the A34 just south of junction with the A30, also on July 2. At first he denied the charge but later changed his plea to guilty.

District Judge Phillip Gillibrand fined Hannon £1,000, with a £100 victim surcharge and £775 costs and was disqualified for 18 months.

The ban will be reduced by 137 days if he passes and approved course by June 17 2018.