A NEWTON Abbot man has been banned and fined for drink-driving and taking a van.

Brandon Robert Hartshorne, aged 28, of Speedwell Close, Newton Abbot Highweek, admitted taking a Vauxhall Vivaro van without consent. He was banned for 12 months for this and placed on a community order and told to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Hartshorne pleaded guilty to drink-driving and the court was told he gave a reading of 107mcgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath. The limit is 35mcgs. He was banned from driving for 28 months but this could be reduced by 28 weeks on completion of a course. He must also pay £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and £114 to fund victim services.

No separate penalty was imposed after Hartshorne pleaded guilty to driving the Vivaro van without a licence.

The community order was imposed after he admitted taking an iPhone and bank card from Joseph Dixon.