A MAN who was working as a van courier has pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Goodwill Mugabe, 26, of Moredon Park, was driving the Vauxhall Vivaro van he used for work along Thamesdown Drive on May 8 when a police officer noticed him straying across the centre line and indicated for Mugabe to pull over.

Nick Barr, prosecuting, said: “The officer could smell alcohol on his breath and carried out a roadside breath test.

“It was positive, he was arrested, taken to the police station where he took a further test and blew 57.”

The legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.

In addition to the charge of drink-driving, Mugabe was also charged with failing to appear at court, earlier in the week after which a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Kirsty O’Connor, defending, said: “He had been at a friend’s house where he had drunk three cans of cider and then made the decision to drive.

“He tells me he has just been feeling incredibly depressed as he lost his brother last month.

“He knew he should have been here on Wednesday but I feel as if he has just been blocking this out.

“To his credit, he handed himself in at the police station on Wednesday evening.

“He was previously working as a courier in Bristol and that will now be lost.”

Mugabe was disqualified from driving for 12 months, but he was offered the option of a drink-drive rehabilitation course which will reduce that ban by 25 per cent if he completes the course by December.

He was fined £120, reduced from £180 for his guilty plea, and must also pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £40.