A MAN who was stopped from driving with passengers whilst more than twice over the legal drink drive limit has been banned from driving.

Matthew Hawkins, 33, of Fox Crescent in Chelmsford has been banned from driving for 42 months after appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June 28.

It comes after Witham Community Special Constables were conducting foot patrols on May 19.

While on patrol, they discovered a white transit van parked on Epping Way, Witham.

As officers approached, the van tried to speed off before coming to a halt in the junction of the next road.

Hawkins, who is reported to have been slurring his words and repeating himself, is said to have been trying to drive to London with passengers in the van.

A spokesman for Essex Police added: “Hawkins was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.

“It was later found that he was over twice the legal limit.

“At Court Hawkins was disqualified from driving for 42 months, he was also ordered to pay a fine of £740 and made to cover other costs.

“790 people were killed or seriously injured on Essex roads in 2021 and drink driving is one of the biggest causes.”