A drink-driving father’s two young children were injured after his car went into a ditch near Hadleigh.

Zana Sabir was nearly twice the legal alcohol limit when his Vauxhall Zafira left the road at just before 1.10am on April 8, South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard.

The 30-year-old pizza delivery driver’s wife was also in the car at the time.

The crash occurred at Holton St Mary.

Sabir pleaded guilty to driving while above the legal alcohol limit when he appeared in court.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said the Zafira was travelling on the B1070 when it was involved in the accident.

On arrival police found the vehicle had left the road and gone into a ditch.

By this time Sabir’s two sons, who are aged four and five, were being treated in the back of an ambulance.

One had a cut to his head, the other had a bump on his head. They were subsequently taken to Colchester Hospital for treatment.

A breath test showed Sabir had 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Mark Holt, representing Sabir, of Lewisham, south London, said his client had been travelling to see family in Ipswich and was diverted off the A12.

However, he misjudged a corner while on the B1070 and his car had left the road.

Sabir was disqualified from driving for 20 months and fined £400. He must also pay £85 costs and £40 to the victims’ fund.

In a separate case a Royal Marine who was twice the legal limit when he was caught drink-driving in Ipswich was banned from the road for 20 months.

Richard Ely, of Fletcher Road, Ipswich, admitted driving while above the alcohol limit when he appeared before the same court.

The 25-year-old was also fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £40 to the victims’ fund.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said the incident occurred at 2.40am on April 6,

Ely was seen in an Audi A4 in Landseer Road and was stopped by police due to the manner of his driving.

A subsequent breath test showed that Ely, who has no previous convictions, had 81mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.

When asked if he had anything he wanted to say to the court Ely, who represented himself, said: “I would just like to apologise for breaking the law and making a stupid mistake.”