A TEENAGE drink driver who plans to study at Oxford was more than twice the drink limit when he was stopped by police driving his girlfriend's car without insurance.

Mark Jefferson, aged 19, of Graham Road, Malvern, admitted drink driving and driving without third party insurance when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday.

Jefferson was caught drink driving at the BP garage in Worcester Road, Malvern on June 17. A breath test revealed 83mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the limit of 35mcg.

Jefferson admitted he had not told his parents, who live in Israel, what had happened.

Police officers were on patrol and were parked in the garage forecourt when they saw Jefferson leave the garage and get into the driver's side of the Fiat 500.

Jackie Rogers, prosecuting, said: "In interview he stated he had driven his girlfriend's vehicle without any insurance after consuming alcohol prior to being stopped by police." He had used the vehicle earlier in the evening to go to the supermarket, which his girlfriend was aware of. But she had not been aware when he borrowed it later on, despite having been drinking, Mrs Rogers said. He drove a friend to the 24 hour garage to buy cigarettes at 1am when police stopped him. He had no previous convictions and was a man of good character before the hearing.

Jefferson, who represented himself, was asked if he had anything to say about what happened by district judge Nigel Cadbury, replying 'no'. He said he was about to go to Oxford Brookes University and his parents lived abroad in Israel, giving him an allowance of £300 per month to live on. The judge asked him if he was going to get a student job while at university to which he replied 'possibly'. Jefferson also expressed a wish to complete a drink drive course which reduces the length of the ban.

Mr Cadbury said: "It's always a serious matter to drive a motor vehicle with excess alcohol. It is aggravated by the fact you were twice the legal limit."

Jefferson was banned from driving for 20 months and if he completes a course the ban will be reduced by 20 weeks. He was fined £150 for the excess alcohol and £150 for driving without insurance. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.