FRIGHTENED that youths would attack his car, actor Matthew Rayson decided to hop in and drive off – even though he was more than twice over the limit.Rayson, 26, of Ipswich's Downside Close, admitted driving while under the influence of alcohol.

FRIGHTENED that youths would attack his car, actor Matthew Rayson decided to hop in and drive off – even though he was more than twice over the limit.

Rayson, 26, of Ipswich's Downside Close, admitted driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Sandra Dyer, prosecuting, told South East Suffolk Magistrates Court yesterday that Rayson was driving his Peugeot 405 down Stoke Park Drive on May 16 when he lost control and hit a lamp post.

A blood test at Ipswich Hospital revealed that Rayson was much more than twice over the legal limit – with 181mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood.

The legal limit is 80mg.

Roger Stewart, mitigating, said: "Mr Rayson drove to Brannigans, parking his car at the docks. But his silver shirt attracted the attention of youths who became abusive.

"They were abusive all throughout the evening. Mr Rayson decided to leave early.

"He noticed immediately that one of the young men started following him.

"He thought his car was in danger and so he decided to go and move his car. He never previously had any intention of driving."

Rayson, who has a previous conviction for driving while under the influence of excess alcohol, received a three-year driving ban and was ordered to pay a £200 fine and £55 costs.

Jason Howes, 33, of Ipswich's Downside Close, also admitted to driving while under the influence of excess alcohol.

Ms Dyer told the court that Howes was driving down Stoke Park Drive in Ipswich on June 6 when he, too, hit a lamp post.

Howes was almost twice over the legal limit, with 108 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay a £100 fine and £55 costs.