AN ARMY officer has lost not only his driving licence, but also his place in the Royal Tank Regiment, after pleading guilty to drink driving in Swindon earlier this month.

Benjamin Chandler, 24, based at Bovington in Dorset, passed out of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and commissioned into the Royal Tank Regiment just last year.

But now following his costly error of judgement, he will have to continue his army career in a different regiment.

Chandler was arrested in Cricklade on July 9 - he decided to drive to Liverpool for a period of leave after drinking with friends, only to end up in a police cell.

He appeared before magistrates in Swindon on Wednesday where he was disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined £384 and told to pay £85 in costs and a £38 victim surcharge.

James Burnham, prosecuting, told the court how a member of the public had spotted Chandler diving erratically near the M4 before deciding to follow him.

“The vehicle was swerving and crossing the centre of the road, almost causing a number of accidents,” said Mr Burnham.

“The member of the public formed the view that the driver must be drunk.”

Chandler pulled into Calcutt Street in Cricklade where he was found by police officers, asleep on the back seat.

He was fully cooperative with the officers at the scene and accepted he had been drinking before getting in the car.

After being taken to the police station, he blew two readings of 67mg which is almost twice the legal limit.

Emma Thacker, defending Chandler in court, said: “This was a foolish error, one that he is extremely remorseful for.

“He has been advised that not only will he be punished by this court but also the army, he will have to move regiments so that he can continue his career.”

The court also heard that he will receive a promotion ban as a result of this incident.