A PLUMBER and a painter and decorator are today facing the possibility of losing their jobs after drink-drinking cost them their licences.

A PLUMBER and a painter and decorator are today facing the possibility of losing their jobs after drink-drinking cost them their licences.

Plumber, Robert Bowen was being followed by police when he swerved his transit van in Belstead Road, Ipswich on February 22.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that the 37-year-old appeared to be speeding and when police stopped him he smelt of alcohol.

Bowen, of The Walk, Felixstowe, had 77 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Bowen pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said: “He had been drinking with friends in Felixstowe. He thought he was fine to drive but he hadn't eaten. He came to Ipswich to see friends. He is a plumber so there will be a fairly major effect by losing his licence.”

Bowen was fined £400, told to pay £80 costs and he was disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Self-employed painter and decorator Michael Jones was spotted in his Vauxhall Combo Van in Cemetery Road, Ipswich on February 23.

Police stopped him at 1.40am during a routine check and discovered he had 87 micrograms of alcohol in breath. The 27-year-old had a previous drink drive conviction.

Jones, of Longcroft, Felixstowe pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

Mr Duckworth, mitigating, said Jones drunk at a Felixstowe pub and had left his van there and walked home.

However, when a friend called to say he was stranded in Ipswich he walked back to the pub, got in his van and drove to collect him.

Mr Duckworth told the court he had only recently started a business as a painter and decorator.

He said he would need his van and his licence for his job.

Jones was fined £400, told to pay £80 costs and was disqualified for three years.