A DRUNKEN motorist who tried to cover his tracks after crashing into a taxi has been tagged.Paul Marden narrowly avoided jail after the smash and instead was sentenced to a five-month curfew order and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community.

A DRUNKEN motorist who tried to cover his tracks after crashing into a taxi has been tagged.

Paul Marden narrowly avoided jail after the smash and instead was sentenced to a five-month curfew order and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community.

Sentencing him bench chairwoman Anne Parry said: "These offences were so serious they could have sent you straight into custody."

The court heard he had not even passed his driving test and was uninsured when he drove well over the drink drive limit.

After the accident he drove off and was later spotted with three other males taking off the registration plates on his silver Honda.

It was only after the group was breath tested and all were found to be over the limit that he confessed.

In sentencing Ms Parry said: "The aggravating features of the offence was the high reading of alcohol, the fact there was an accident and someone was injured.

"After the accident you drove straight off and then attempted to cover your tracks by removing the number plates."

Adele Cook, prosecuting at the magistrates court in Ipswich, said the taxi driver had stopped to pick up a fare on Norwich Road when Marden drove in the back of him before driving off.

A breath test revealed 109 mcg in 100 ml of breath. This is more than twice the legal limit of 35 mcg.

After the crash the taxi driver had to be treated for whiplash and a sore back at Ipswich Hospital.

Diane Infanti, mitigating, described the incident as a "one off" and said Marden had been out drinking for the evening and intended to get a taxi home.

She said: "He left the club and phoned for a taxi but was told it would be a long wait."

The court heard Marden, 33, of Montgomery Road, Ipswich, has no previous convictions and admitted all offences.

He was given a five month curfew order to run from 6 pm to 6 am and banned from driving for 28 months.

For careless driving he was given a three month curfew order to run concurrently and the same for failing to stop and for driving while disqualified.

No separate penalty was given for not having an MoT certificate.

He was ordered to pay £300 compensation to the taxi driver and £55 costs.