AN AMERICAN serviceman had to check into a rehabilitation clinic after being arrested for drink-driving, magistrates in Swindon were told.

Ronald Hoon, 38, of Monet Close, Swindon, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with an alcohol level of 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting said Hoon had been stopped by police in Thamesdown Drive at 3.15pm on January 15 after driving his Honda Civic at 60mph in a 40mph limit.

Emma Handslip, defending, said Hoon had been drinking heavily at a barbecue the night before and had met friends at a pub the next day when he received a message to make contact with home about his father who was suffering from cancer of the blood.

Hoon who worked at a military base in Newbury, was required to attend The Priory in London for 28 days to address his alcohol issues. He was sentenced to a 12-month community of 120 hours and disqualified from driving for 24 months, He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.

He had come to court on Wednesday straight from The Priory, Miss Handslip said, adding that Hoon was due to retire from the military in 16 months.

The magistrates heard from the court legal advisor that serving soldiers in the British Forces were discharged if sentenced to more than 80 hours community service for any offence.

A sergeant from Hoon’s base, however, assured the bench that this was not the case for an American serviceman and that any community service ordered could be completed by Hoon at weekends.