A BUS driver who drove on duty while over the legal alcohol limit received a hefty community punishment order and a long ban at Richmond Magistrates' Court last week.

David Farrell, 42, of Amhurst Gardens in Twickenham, pleaded guilty to the offence which took place at The Quadrant in Richmond on September 25.

At just before 5pm, the police received a phone call from a bus passenger who smelt alcohol on the driver's breath and suspected he was drunk, said prosecutor Miss Smith.

Farrell was stopped by officers and produced a positive roadside breath test.

Defence solicitor Mr Dyer said that Farrell did not seek to distance himself from the offence and felt responsible.

He said he wished to make a public apology to the court and the public who were travelling on the bus that day.

Mr Dyer explained that the defendant's mother had recently gone to America to visit his sister and found out that she had terminal cancer.

She was now unable to leave the US, and on the day before the incident Farrell found out her condition had worsened.

He went out the night before the incident and drunk about six or seven pints of cider because he was distraught, and then went to work the next morning and drove.

He also drunk two pints during his break.

"He knows he will be disqualified from driving and certainly lose his job", Mr Dyer said.

Farrell received a 180 hours community punishment order and was banned from driving for 24 months. Magistrates also ordered that he pay £35 costs.

l A HEROIN addict was fined £180 after admitting possession of class A drugs.

Samarjit Sihra, of Lyndhurst Avenue, Whitton, pleaded guilty to possessing 36g of heroin and 43 millilitres of methadone at his home on June 2.

The case had previously been adjourned for a community penalty to be considered but Sihra was not thought suitable for a drug treatment and testing order and his use was not considered serious enough for a residential order.

Sihra was arrested after police were called to his home address. As he was taken to the police station his wife produced two silver foil wraps and two brown bottles containing the drugs. She said Sihra had asked her to look after them to control the amount he used.

In his defence it was said Sihra was currently involved in proceedings concerning his daughter in the family court. He recognised he had a drug problem and that he needs to address it.

Sihra was offered no rehabilitation but fined £50 for each possession offence and ordered to pay £80 in costs.

l AFTER admitting driving whilst disqualified, a 34-year-old was sentenced to two months in prison.

Neal Burvill, of Lynegrove Avenue, Ashford, was arrested for the offence on September 11 at Stanley Road, Teddington.

He originally gave his father's name and address, however he later admitted giving false information.

Burvill was banned from driving in June at Feltham Magistrates' Court for 12 months.

Sentencing Burvill to prison the magistrates said it was due to his fragrant breach of a court order that was just three months old.

For having no insurance, Burvill's licence was endorsed.

He was banned from driving for a further 12 months.