A DISABLED man is counting the cost of his actions today for getting behind the wheel after boozing.Arthritic Kevin Mitchell, 44, was sentenced to an 18-month motoring ban after admitting to being more than twice over the drink drive limit in Sandyhill Lane, Ipswich.

By Amanda Cresswell

A DISABLED man is counting the cost of his actions today for getting behind the wheel after boozing.

Arthritic Kevin Mitchell, 44, was sentenced to an 18-month motoring ban after admitting to being more than twice over the drink drive limit in Sandyhill Lane, Ipswich.

South East Suffolk Magistrates heard police officers spotted driver Mitchell cut across the junction of Sandyhill Lane and Landseer Road in the early hours of October 5.

Prosecutor Godfried Duah said: "They followed the vehicle and saw it weaving from the near side to the middle of the road."

Mitchell was stopped and a breath test revealed 77 mcg in 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

The court heard Mitchell, of Mere View, Great Livermere, was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order in January this year for an alcohol-related common assault on his estranged wife.

David Shipman, mitigating, said Mitchell has avoided drinking alcohol since.

He said "On this occasion he had taken soft drinks with him to an 18th birthday party of a son of a friend of his with the intent of not drinking.

"Unfortunately these soft drinks were consumed by him and other members of the party."

The court heard as the soft drinks ran out Mitchell drunk some cans of beer.

Mr Shipman said his client was sorry for his actions: "In a normal situation he is a safe and reasonable driver. But on this occasion he lapsed."

The court heard Mitchell has arthritis in his hips and spine and also suffers from clinical depression.

Bench chairwoman Vicky Sears also fined Mitchell £100 and ordered him to pay £50 towards prosecution costs.

He had the option of reducing his driving ban if he successfully completes a drivers' rehabilitation course.