A HOME carer who overtook police officers while speeding and with excess alcohol in his system is today beginning a drink driving ban.Matthew Varghese, of Capel Drive, Felixstowe, was travelling only slightly above the 30mph speed limit in High Road, Trimley St Mary, on December 4 but that was enough for officers to ask him to pull over.

A HOME carer who overtook police officers while speeding and with excess alcohol in his system is today beginning a drink driving ban.

Matthew Varghese, of Capel Drive, Felixstowe, was travelling only slightly above the 30mph speed limit in High Road, Trimley St Mary, on December 4 but that was enough for officers to ask him to pull over.

When they spoke to him they could smell alcohol on his breath and asked him to provide a sample of breath.

During a hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, Varghese, 40, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He also pleaded guilty to charges of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and having no insurance.

During the hearing, prosecutor Sandra Dyer told the court the police officers were travelling toward Ipswich in an unmarked police car when Varghese's Vauxhall Cavalier overtook them at about 8.30pm.

Varghese tested positive for excess alcohol during a roadside test and two subsequent tests revealed he had 62 micrograms of alcohol in 100millitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35mcg in 100ml of breath.

The court was also told that Varghese, who is from India, was insured but a technicality which meant his international driving license was no longer valid meant he would not have been covered.

Mitigating, Nigel Innis said that the night prior to the offence Varghese had been drinking heavily.

"He drank in excess of a bottle of whisky," Mr Innis said.

"He is having problems having his children join him in the United Kingdom.

"That obviously is causing some distress because he has fairly young children. He has had to leave them back in India."

In sentencing Varghese, Magistrate Tony Baker said he had been given credit for his guilty pleas.

For the offence of excess alcohol Varghese was disqualified from driving for 16 months, to be reduced by four months if he completes a driver rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £200 for that offence.

For the offence of having no insurance his license was endorsed and he was fined a further £50.

For driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence his licence was endorsed.

Magistrates also ordered Varghese to pay £50 costs.