A drink-driver who dazzled police with his headlights as he drove towards them has lost his licence for 12 months.

David Clowes, of The Street, Washbrook, pleaded guilty to driving while above the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said the 59-year-old was travelling home in his silver Mercedes SLK at around 10.36pm on September 20 he attracted the attention of police officers in Washbrook.

Officers stopped the vehicle and asked Clowes to take a roadside breath test.

Clowes was unable to adequately provide a sample of breath on four occasions due to a medical condition. A further two attempts also failed, the court heard.

Subsequently a urine sample was taken. It showed Clowes had 149 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. The legal limit is 107mlgs.

Clowes told the court: “I do regret and I’m quite ashamed of the offence. I genuinely thought I would not be over the limit, but it was a misjudgment.

“I have been driving for 43 years. I have never been disqualified. I do regret it (drinking and driving).”

In addition to his ban Clowes was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and £30 to the victims’ fund.

The Star’s Christmas anti-drink-drive campaign begins today. We will cover as many drink-drive court cases as possible.