SHAMED ambulance driver Kevin Robey today said he was sorry after being caught nearly three times over the drink drive limit.Robey, who was not on duty at the time, was sentenced to an 18 month ban for being nearly three times over the legal drink drive limit.

SHAMED ambulance driver Kevin Robey today said he was sorry after being caught nearly three times over the drink drive limit.

Robey, who was not on duty at the time, was sentenced to an 18 month ban for being nearly three times over the legal drink drive limit.

The 45-year-old, of Rands Way, Ipswich, today said: "I apologise to everybody concerned."

Despite his conviction an East Anglian Ambulance Trust spokesman said the service was seeking another job for him.

The spokesman said: "At the moment he is suspended from his job on full pay but in the past we have found alternative employment for people in these circumstances."

South-East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard 45-year-old Robey was breath-tested after his Toyota car stood still despite traffic lights turning from red to green twice.

The disgraced driver clocked up 90mg per 100ml of breath - way over the 35mg legal limit.

Robey, who was unrepresented in court, told magistrates he was very sorry and pleaded for any ban to be kept to a minimum.

After hearing of Robey's unblemished 24-year record in the ambulance service, magistrates handed down the 18-month ban - a sentence

they described as "lenient."

Craig Gill, Robey's manager in the ambulance service, told the court the driver's actions were the result of a "moment of stupidity."

And he highlighted Robey's previous exemplary record.

David Taylor, prosecuting, said Robey was tested in Wherstead Road, Ipswich at 11.10pm on September 17.

He said officers were alerted by the strange behaviour of Robey's car at the traffic lights. He was tested at the scene then arrested and taken to Ipswich Police Station.

As well as his 18-month ban, Robey was also ordered to pay £55 costs and complete 70 hours community service.

Despite striving to keep their disgraced driver in a job, the ambulance trust condemned his actions.

The spokesman said: "We don't condone anyone drink driving - especially our staff.

"After all, we're the ones who have to go out and pick up the pieces.

"All members of staff have to be in a fit state to do their job and if someone turned up smelling of alcohol someone would do something about it."