A SUFFOLK farmer has been warned that he could face jail after admitting to taking to the road when three and a half times the legal limit for drink driving.

A SUFFOLK farmer has been warned that he could face jail after admitting to taking to the road when three and a half times the legal limit for drink driving.

Andrew Uthwatt-Bouverie > was stopped by police in Cretingham, near Framlingham, on Saturday night > after they had been alerted to a suspicious driver by a member of the public.

A breath test revealed that the 26-year-old of Ashfield Place Farm, near Stowmarket, measured 126 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

The court heard that Uthwatt-Bouverie had been drinking at pubs in Cretingham when he drove a female to show her land he had recently bought.

Ian Pells, prosecuting, told magistrates that police could smell alcohol on the defendants breath when they stopped him at about 2.30am.

Ina Duckworth, mitigating, said that Uthwatt-Bouverie had gone directly to the pub after finishing work on the farm.

He added: "There were not any other drivers around, there is no suggestion of any horrendous driving and there was no accident."

The court heard that the farmer was previously banned from driving for 12-months in 1996 after being stopped by police on Christmas Day 1995.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for the preparation of pre-sentence reports leaving all options open.

David Coe, chairman of the bench, warned Uthwatt-Bouverie that custody would be considered. Magistrates also imposed an interim driving ban

The defendant was released on bail to return to court for sentencing on October 3.