A DAD who is expecting his second child has told a court how he was stupid to get behind the wheel of a car and drive home drunk and has lost his job as a result.

Martin Smith, of Withley Close, Royal Wootton Bassett, admitted driving his Ford Mondeo while being nearly double the drink-drive limit on November 21.

North West Wiltshire Magistrates' Court in Chippenham heard on Thursday how a police officer saw Smith veering over the white lines of the road as he drove in Flaxlands, Royal Wootton Bassett, which drew her attention to him.

When the officer pulled the 26-year-old over she saw he had a pint glass in a cup holder of his car and could smell alcohol in his breath. He was taken to a police station and breathalysed and found to be over the limit.

Smith, who has a three-year-old daughter and is expecting another child in June, had the previous week pleaded not guilty when he represented himself in court.

“I was stupid and I am going to spend the rest of my life paying for it,” he told district judge Simon Cooper after changing his plea to guilty last week.

He also told Judge Cooper how he was on a decent salary, working long shifts for the Mini and BMW Plant in Cowley, Oxford, but he had now lost this job.

He said he was the main bread winner and his girlfriend does not drive and they have no savings, so deeply regretted what he had done.

At Mini he was on just over £18 an hour but in Swindon he said he would be lucky to find a similar job in Swindon which paid more than £7 an hour.

Judge Cooper said: “Mr Smith you pleaded guilty and I am going to give you full credit. Your position has struck a chord with me and I have complete sympathy with you.”

He imposed a 12-month driving ban on Smith which could be reduced by three months if he goes on a drink-drive awareness course and ordered him to pay costs of £355, which could be paid in installments of £40.

Judge Cooper added: “This I want to say to you, do not drive in any car or any vehicle on any road. You will be risking the whole thing and could go to prison.”