Shamed former TV newsreader Ashley Blake has been banned from driving for 12 months after being convicted of drink driving.

Blake pleaded guilty at Sutton Magistrates Court to driving his BMW motorbike while over limit. Blake has previously worked on road safety campaigns.

The ban comes less than a year after Blake, 41,was released from prison having served nine months of a two year sentence for wounding and attempting to pervert the the course of justice.

The ex-Midlands Today newsreader, of Winchester Court, Vesey Close, Sutton Coldfield, admitted he “should have given more thought” to his condition before riding his bike on January 10, the day after a night out. He was found to have 91mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £105 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Blake said in a statement: “I have been a motorcycle enthusiast for many years during which I have campaigned with West Midlands Police and West Mercia Police for BikeSafe, a course that provides motorcyclists with better road safety skills and awareness.”

Blake said that after a night out he deciced to ride his bike. He added: “I accept I should have given more thought to my own fitness to drive the following day and I would like my own experience to be a reminder to other road users that alcohol could still be in your system even after you’ve had a full nights sleep and may feel fine to drive.”

In September 2009 Blake was jailed for hitting 17-year-old Greg Jones in the face with a wooden pole at a birthday party at a bar he owned in Sutton Coldfield.­

By Naomi Dunning