A self-employed Ipswich floor fitter has lost his livelihood after crashing into another car while nearly three times the drink-drive limit and then driving off.

South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard that as a result of the collision Callum Powell’s sliding van door was ripped off, and a roll of carpet and bucket were left in the road.

The 30-year-old, of Beaconsfield Road, Ipswich, was disqualified from driving for 24 months after admitting driving with excess alcohol.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident.

In addition to his driving ban Powell was given a 12-month community order with a provision to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £60 to the victims’ fund.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said the incident occurred at 8.30pm on April 8.

Powell had been driving along London Road towards Ipswich town centre in his yellow Mercedes Sprinter van.

As Powell went to turn into Pauls Road he collided with a Skoda Fabia travelling in the opposite direction, causing one of his van’s sliding doors to be ripped off. Carpet and a bucket were also deposited on the road as a result.

Subsequently a police vehicle followed his van not realising Powell had just left the scene of an accident.

Mrs Harper said an officer became concerned about the manner of Powell’s driving.

He eventually turned into Bramford Road. Officers then became aware of the accident which had occurred a short time earlier.

A subsequent breath test showed Powell to have 94 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Mark Holt, representing the father-of-one, said his client was self-employed and as a result of his actions would lose the contracts he had with two companies.