A SWINDON kitchen fitter who picked up his works van early in the morning after a heavy night’s drinking has been banned from driving for two years.

Jack Baverstock, 30, of Alwyn Court, Redhouse, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on February 5 this year when he appeared before magistrates in the town on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Kate Prince told the bench that police had seen a transit van weaving along Groundwell Road, Swindon, at 7.55am on February 5.

When they stopped the van Baverstock, who was the driver, smelled of alcohol and a roadside breath test proved positive.

A later reading on the police station intoxilator showed an alcohol level of 104 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Baverstock, who represented himself in court, told the magistrates he apologised profusely and that he had been completely reckless in picking up the van that early having been drinking the night before.

He said his employer was prepared to keep him on as a kitchen fitter after losing his licence but his salary would be reduced.

Magistrates disqualified Baverstock from driving for 24 months, fined him £650 and ordered him to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £65.