A DRUNK motorist who crashed into the back of a taxi removed his car number plates to avoid being caught.Paul Marden, 33, had not even passed his driving test before he drove THREE times the drink drive limit, a court heard.

A DRUNK motorist who crashed into the back of a taxi removed his car number plates to avoid being caught.

Paul Marden, 33, had not even passed his driving test before he drove THREE times the drink drive limit, a court heard.

After the smash the bungling boozer drove off and was later spotted with three other males taking away the registration plates on his silver Honda.

It was only after the group were breath tested and were all found to be over the drink drive limit that Marden confessed, prosecutor Lesla Small told magistrates in Ipswich.

Marden, of the town's Montgomery Road, could be jailed after admitting drink driving on Sunday November 30.

He is the latest to be named and shamed by The Evening Star after stupidly getting behind the wheel after boozing.

The court heard his behaviour was aggravated by his high reading, the fact he failed to stop at the scene and tried to cover his tracks.

After ordering reports before sentencing, bench chairman Ted Draper told him: "This is a very serious matter and the fact that you tried to avoid justice makes matters worse."

The court heard after the crash the taxi driver was treated for whiplash and a sore back at Ipswich Hospital's accident and emergency department.

Ms Small told magistrates: "The taxi driver had stopped to pick up a fare in Norwich Road when Marden drove into the back of the vehicle.

"The taxi driver radioed through to the control room for police to be called and in the meantime Marden reversed his vehicle and drove off."

Marden admitted careless driving and failing to stop at the scene.

Meanwhile a sharp-eyed passer-by phoned police to say they had seen four people removing the number plates and a child's car seat from a silver Honda in Deben Road, Ipswich.

When officers attended they spotted the four males and also the car which had front end damage.

Ms Small told magistrates: "All four males were detained and they were asked who the driver of the vehicle was.

"None of them said who the driver was. They were all given a breath test and were all over the limit."

When all four were bungled into a police van Marden admitted he was the driver. A breath test showed 109 mcg in breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

Ms Small said police checks revealed Marden was the registered owner of the car. He also had the vehicle's car keys on him.

He admitted not complying with the terms of his provisional licence and not having insurance or Mot.

Marden, who was not represented in court, was advised to see a solicitor before sentencing on December 23. Reports will look at the affect the incident had on the taxi driver and his livelihood.