FACED with an Alfa Romeo driving towards them at speed under a railway bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning with no lights on a couple phoned the police.

When officers arrived at the Mannington roundabout they found 30-year-old Nathan Fray of Dione Crescent, Oakhurst, behind the wheel of the 05-plate Alfa which had come to rest on a grass bank near the Toothill slip road.

Opening the car door they were met with an "immediate smell of alcohol" while he was described as slurring his speech.

After failing a roadside breath test he was taken into custody where he provided a reading of 87mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

On Monday morning he appeared before magistrates sitting in Swindon from custody where he pleaded guilty to driving while above the drink-drive limit and driving without insurance.

He further pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage at a hotel in Liverpool on May 18 valued at £1,037.

The court also heard that he was in breach of a community order that had been imposed in June of this year for a charge of criminal damage and assault.

Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger told the court that the criminal damage at the Staycity Aparthotel had arisen after his partner had been seen talking to two other men.

Vowing never to hit a woman Fray instead took his anger out on some of the fixtures and fittings of the room. He had initially agreed a repayment plan with the hotel, but no money had been paid.

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Dr David Morrell told him: "Back in June you were ordered to attend a probation course and there were four days where you didn't turn up and you have today pleaded guilty to not complying with that.

"For that reason we are revoking that course and sending you to prison.

"However that will be suspended."

He was given a four month custodial sentence which the bench suspended for 18 months. They also imposed a new 18 month community order during which he must complete 35 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was further banned from driving for 22 months and fined £120 for driving while above the limit as well as a further fine of £120 for driving without insurance.

He must also pay £30 victim surcharge and £85 Crown Prosecution Service costs.

"You missed going to prison by a very small margin today," said Dr Morrell.

PC Paul Bezzant said: “Not only did Fray put himself in danger, he put many other road users in danger as he drove erratically through the streets of Swindon, even driving on the wrong side of the road along Wootton Bassett Road, with no lights on, forcing other road users to take action to swerve out of the way of Fray’s vehicle.

“When officers attended the vehicle in Tewkesbury Way, Fray was slurring his words and in a confused state.

“It is extremely fortunate that nobody was injured, or worse, killed.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of not getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. The dangers of drink driving can never be underestimated.

"Driving while under the influence of drink can affect your judgement, reaction times and speed, as well as putting lives in danger.”

Anyone who has concerns about someone they believe may be drink-driving should call police on 101 - in an emergency, call 999.