DRINK driver David Hale lost his job after getting behind the wheel while drunk on New Year's Day.Hale admitted drink driving and was sentenced to a three year driving ban at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

DRINK driver David Hale lost his job after getting behind the wheel while drunk on New Year's Day.

Hale admitted drink driving and was sentenced to a three year driving ban at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

The court heard the 49-year-old was stopped by police carrying out a routine check in the early hours of New Years Day.

A breath test revealed he was more than twice over the limit with 88 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

Prosecutor David Taylor told the court Hale was given a two-year driving ban for an identical offence in July 1996.

Ian Devine, mitigating, said Hale, had already paid a price because he lost his job but was looking to get office work.

On sentencing chairman of the bench Jim Wyllie told Hale: "This is your second excess alcohol offence in ten years which carries a mandatory three year disqualification."

The ban will be reduced by nine months if he successfully completes a driver's rehabilitation course.

Hale, of Sea Road, Felixstowe, was also given a 120 hour community punishment order and ordered to pay £55 costs.

n Also appearing in court was Michael Giles of Bramford Road, Ipswich, who could face custody for two charges of drink driving.

He admitted drink driving on Bramford Road in November and London Road in January.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports with all options open, including custody.

The 41-year-old was granted unconditional bail until March 12 when he is due to return before South East Suffolk Magistrates' for sentencing.