A British Museum IT worker caught three times over the drink drive limit in Asda car park asked if he could still cycle after magistrates handed him a three year roads ban.

Dad-of-two Xiao Rong Jiang was spared an immediate jail sentence when he appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court after being found over the alcohol limit for the second time in four months.

Prosecutor Nick Barr said the 45-year-old had been asked to leave Asda in the Orbital shopping centre, North Swindon, on Wednesday, October 28, by a security guard who spotted him acting in a “drunken manner”.

The guard called the police after he watched Jiang walk from the supermarket and get behind the wheel of a 66-plate Honda Jazz.

Officers arrested Jiang, who was banned from the roads for 26 months in July, on suspicion of drink driving and driving whilst disqualified.

He was taken to the police station and blew the equivalent of 122mcgs of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon via video link from Gablecross police station, Jiang, of Timandra Close, pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

Stephen Collins, defending, said his client had struggled with alcohol and had been to his GP about the problem since last appearing before the court. He was motivated to address the issue.

He was an IT expert, working for the British Museum on their plans over how to manage visitors during the winter months. He worked from home.

Mr Collins acknowledged the difficulty his client was in, but asked the magistrates to consider suspending any period of imprisonment.

“This was a stupid decision to jump in the car and drive to Asda. Goodness knows what was going through his mind. He needs desperately to work on his alcohol misuse and hopes you will give him that opportunity,” Mr Collins said.

Jiang told the JPs he had split from his wife earlier this year. The woman and their two children lived nearby.

The magistrates sentenced him to 20 weeks imprisonment suspended for a year. The community order imposed in July was revoked and replaced with 100 hours of unpaid work. He must complete up to 20 rehabilitation days with the probation service and pay £207 in costs and surcharge.

Jiang was banned from driving for three years.