RESTAURANT chain area manager Lukasz Skonieczny was caught drink driving by police after they spotted his car’s tail lights were out, Swindon magistrates heard.

Skonieczny’s Jeep was seen going across the Magic Roundabout at 4.30am on September 3, prosecutor Pauline Lambert said.

He failed a roadside breath test and was taken to the Gablecross police station where a second test revealed a level of 50 mcg of alcohol in his breath. The limit is 35.

Skonieczny, aged 30, of Colling Lane, Tidworth, admitted the charge.

Terence McCarthy, defending, said there had been an event the previous evening. He had drunk some alcohol and waited several hours before setting out, thinking he was fit to drive.

The defendant was now facing a 40 minute bike ride to his nearest railway station and his employment was uncertain in the light of his conviction.

He was banned from driving for 12 months by District Judge Simon Cooper and ordered to pay a £400 fine, £85 prosecution costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Skonieczny was told his disqualification could be reduced by 13 weeks if he completed a drink driver rehabilitation course by April 21.