A motorist arrested on April Fools’ Day for his second drink-driving-related offence in 24 hours has been spared a prison term.

Gintaras Sendzikas, of Sirdar Road, Ipswich, was originally arrested at around 3am on March 31 in Civic Drive. A breath test showed he had 97 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

The 46-year-old was charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle and released on police bail at around 10.30am the same day. He was due to appear before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on April 14.

Less than 16 hours later the factory worker was arrested again on suspicion of drink-driving.

Sendzikas was making his way to work in a Peugeot 206 when he was pulled over at 2am on April 1. Police stopped the car after an officer became concerned about the way the car was being driven.

A breath test found he had 75mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.

Sendzikas subsequently pleaded guilty to drink-driving and also admitted being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit.

Sendzikas accepted he was also in breach of an eight-week jail term, suspended for 12 months. He had been convicted of possession of an offensive weapon last September.

At his plea hearing last month District Judge Celia Dawson was told Sendzikas has been in England for two years and had no previous convictions in Lithuania.

After being released from police custody on March 31 Sendzikas said he had two small whiskies to calm himself down before going to sleep.

He sends £200 a month to his wife and 15-year-old son in Lithuania. The court heard Sendzikas’ family would be made homeless if he was jailed as they rely on his income to supplement his wife’s small wage.

His child’s education would also be in jeopardy as Sendzikas’ money helps support the boy’s education.

When Sendzikas returned to be sentenced by Ipswich magistrates he was given a 12-month community order with 100 hours’ unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from driving for 20 months for the drink-drive offence and was given a six-month ban for being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. In addition he must pay costs and a surcharge totalling £145.

The magistrates also gave Sendzikas a three-month curfew and extended the length of his suspended prison sentenced to 18 months from 12 months.