FORMER Ipswich Town football star Jason Dozzell, has today been banned from motoring after drink driving at almost twice the legal limit.The 40-year-old was seen swerving his Audi A4 car, from one side of the road to another, before driving through a no entry signed road in the wrong lane.

FORMER Ipswich Town football star Jason Dozzell, has today been banned from motoring after drink driving at almost twice the legal limit.

The 40-year-old was seen swerving his Audi A4 car, from one side of the road to another, before driving through a no entry signed road in the wrong lane.

South East Suffolk Magistrate's Court heard that Dozzell was spotted by police officers in College Street, Ipswich, walking with a woman on December 23 last year.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said: “He appeared to be unsteady on his feet.”

She said he walked into an unofficial car park and appeared ten minutes later driving the Audi.

Dozzell was followed as he drove into Cardinal Park car park.

Ms Small said: “The car swerved from one lane to another on the one-way system. It turned without indication into Grafton Way and then into Cardinal Park.

“He was on the wrong side of the road and went through a no entry sign.”

When Dozzell, who played for Town in the 1990s, was stopped by police he smelled of alcohol and admitted he had been driving.

He told officers he drove badly because he “panicked”.

Dozzell pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, he had 63 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

The court heard that Dozzell had a previous conviction for failing to provide a specimen in September 2004 for which he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Mr Carn, mitigating, said his client had separated from his wife two months ago and had recently lost his job at Leiston Football Club through “no fault of his own”.

He said Dozzell had parked at the unofficial car park but wanted to move the Audi to the more secure site about 300 yards away.

He added: “He was fully co-operative with police, he could pay a fine but he is a bit stretched at the moment.”

Former footballer, Simon Milton, also appeared at the court to give evidence in favour of Dozzell.

He said Dozzell was a man of “integrity” who was going through a difficult time in his life. He added that the loss of his driver's licence would add to Dozzell's troubles and make future employment more difficult.

District Judge David Cooper said: “It was grossly irresponsible. You drove at nearly twice over the limit but I have taken into account your good character, the difficulties you have and the humiliation involved in you being here today.”

Dozzell was banned from driving for the minimum term of three years but Judge Cooper said if he applied to the court for his licence after two years he would “look favourable” on the application if Dozzell completed the drink driver's rehabilitation course which would reduce the ban by nine months.

Dozzell was fined £750 and told to pay £65 costs and a £15 victim surcharge which he paid directly after the court hearing.