A TEENAGER, who is already banned from driving, crashed a car in to a lamp post when over the legal limit for alcohol, a court has been told.Stewart Macleod, 18, pleaded guilty to a string of motoring offences at a court appearance in Ipswich.

A TEENAGER, who is already banned from driving, crashed a car in to a lamp post when over the legal limit for alcohol, a court has been told.

Stewart Macleod, 18, pleaded guilty to a string of motoring offences at a court appearance in Ipswich. He was warned by magistrates that he could face a custodial sentence.

Macleod, of Campion Road, Ipswich, admitted driving with alcohol on January 5. He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance and careless driving on the same date.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, told the court police questioned Macleod after attending a crash in Ipswich.

Officers discovered a lamp post in Sheldrake Road had been struck by a motorist but the driver had left the scene.

Mr Davies said: "At 12.30am they (the police) came across the vehicle in question, a Citroen Xantia on Speedwell Road."

He said the car was damaged and had clearly been involved in an accident.

When questioned by police Macleod admitted he was involved in the accident and that he was a disqualified driver. The court heard he was banned in August for a charge of aggravated vehicle taking.

A test revealed Macleod measured 135 milligrammes of alcohol on 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mcgs.

John Hughes, in mitigation, said the incident followed an argument between Macleod and his mother.

Macleod took the car and crashed into a lamp post while he was trying to light a cigarette. He then drove away from the scene.

Mr Hughes added that his client had a drinking problem that had developed since the deaths of his father and uncle.

The case was adjourned for the preparation of pre-sentence reports, with all options left open.

Macleod was bailed to return to court on March 5.