DRIVING through Malmesbury town centre in the early hours with faulty rear lights led police to pull Joby Neal over where they discovered he was over the drink drive limit.

The 22-year-old of Old Alexander Road, Malmesbury, pleaded guilty to one charge of drink driving dating from July 1 when he came before the bench at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Crown prosecutor Pauline Lambert told the bench that once Neal had been taken back to Gablecross Police Station he provided a breath reading of 46 microgrammes. The legal driving limit is 35mcgs.

Representing himself in court Neal, a carpenter, told the bench that he "put his hands up".

"I thought I was safe to drive, but obviously the facts are there," he said. "I'm guilty, so that's it. My boss isn't entirely happy that I got caught. I could potentially lose my job."

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Lady Maria Pitt said: "You will understand how serious this is for you. If you have been driving with excess alcohol you should consider yourself very lucky that you haven't hurt anyone or yourself."

She banned him from he roads for 14 months, which will be reduced upon the completion of a drink drivers awareness course, and fined him £300, taking into account his guilty plea. He must also pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"Hopefully you are not going to see me here again," Neal told the bench as he left the dock.

"That would be very good," Lady Pitt replied.