A 64-year-old man from Bishop's Tachbrook has been disqualified from driving for over a year after being involved in a crash in November.

Derek Rellis, from Kingsley Road, has been disqualified from driving for 14 months, fined £650 and ordered to pay £135 costs and a £260 Victim Surcharge after appearing pleading guilty to drink driving at Leamington Magistrates Court on 22 December.

He was arrested at 4.57pm on 10 November after he was involved in a collision on Banbury Road. 

He failed a roadside breath test and was charged with drink driving and given a court date.

He has the opportunity to reduce his driving ban by 14 weeks if he attends an approved drink drive rehabilitation course by 19 September 2024.

Meanwhile a 25-year-old man from Charlecote, Warwick who was arrested at 1.32am hours on 20 December on Europa Way after police stopped his vehicle, has also been charged.

Officers requested a drug swipe after he was stopped and he refused. 

He was later charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 9 February. 

He was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs other than Class A and released on conditional bail until 10 February not to go within Leamington Spa, Warwick for any reason.

Sgt Simon Dalby said: "We are arresting drivers on suspicion of drink or drug driving almost every day. 

"After being detained in custody for several hours whilst we conduct further checks, many of these drivers are charged and receive court dates.  

"This will be hanging over them and their families over Christmas and New Year.

"Drinking and driving is not worth the risk as there is a high risk of being stopped and arrested with an increased police presence on the roads to catch drink and drug drivers. 

"If you are going out drinking with your friends to a Christmas party, plan ahead and nominate a driver, pre book a taxi, stick to booze free drinks or go out somewhere within walking distance of home."