AN ACCIDENT led a convicted drink driver to believe he had completed his community punishment order, a court heard.Jeffrey Gillings's memory was impaired after he received a head injury in an accident on his push bike in Suffolk last year.

AN ACCIDENT led a convicted drink driver to believe he had completed his community punishment order, a court heard.

Jeffrey Gillings's memory was impaired after he received a head injury in an accident on his push bike in Suffolk last year.

Gilling, of Old Post Office Lane, Shotley, had been using the bicycle to get out and about after he received a motoring ban for drink driving in January 2002. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community.

Valerie Lane, prosecuting on behalf of the probation service, said Gilling had completed 59 hours in the first eight weeks of the order until he stopped attending in March last year.

She told South East Suffolk Magistrates in Ipswich: "His standard of work was very good."

Hugh Rowland, mitigating, said Gilling, formerly of Bawdsey, received hospital treatment after last year's accident.

Mr Rowland said: "He was an in-patient for a while. He came out of hospital and it seems he genuinely believed he had completed the community punishment order."

Gilling had enjoyed the work, which involved a mixture of conservation and decorating.

The 42-year-old was arrested for drink driving after he was spotted doing 48 mph in 30 mph limit.

A breath test reading showed 107 mcg in 100 ml, of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

Magistrates were told he was suitable to carry out the unpaid work.

Gilling admitted breaching his community punishment order and was ordered to do 140 hours unpaid work in the community to replace the original sentence.

He was also ordered to pay £20 towards prosecution costs.