An Ipswich motorcyclist has been spared jail after going out to buy tobacco while more than four times the drink-drive limit.

Gareth Bailey, formerly of Murray Road, had pleaded with the town’s magistrates not to send him to prison.

The 26-year-old told them: “If I go to prison I basically lose everything. I lose my job. I have already lost my girlfriend. I have lost my licence and I will lose where I live. I would basically come out and I would have nothing. It’s the most stupid thing I have done in my life.”

Bailey was sentenced to a 12-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work after admitting drink-driving. He was also banned from the road for 36 months and must pay £100 in surcharges and costs.

Chairman of the bench Bob Skinner told Bailey: “This is probably the worst drink-driving case we have seen. You very clearly pass the custody threshold. However, you have shown us some remorse.”

Bailey was caught after riding his Honda CBR 125 in Nacton Road.

Prosecutor Sandra Dyer said shortly after 7pm on September 26 a member of the public had seen Bailey’s motorcycle go up Bishop’s Hill weaving along the road. It was then seen in Nacton Road with Bailey beside it.

Magistrates heard he was rude to paramedics, although he had said sorry to police.

In interview he said he gone to Tesco in Nacton Road to purchase tobacco after consuming “a couple of bottles of wine”.

A subsequent breath test showed Bailey had 153 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.