A MOTORIST was counting the cost of his actions after he downed drinks in a pub before driving.Roderick Hall, of Swan Lane, Earl Soham, was spotted by police as he left the forecourt of The Cretingham Bell pub in his white BMW, South East Suffolk magistrates were told.

A MOTORIST was counting the cost of his actions after he downed drinks in a pub before driving.

Roderick Hall, of Swan Lane, Earl Soham, was spotted by police as he left the forecourt of The Cretingham Bell pub in his white BMW, South East Suffolk magistrates were told.

Prosecutor Adele Cook said the 40-year-old was stopped after he drove to a nearby driveway.

Hall admitted drink-driving on December 22 after a breath test showed 136mcg in 100ml of breath - more than three times the legal limit of 35 mcg. The court heard he had a previous drink-driving conviction.

Diane Infanti, mitigating, said the American freelance journalist had been having family problems.

She said: "To distance himself from this he went to the pub and consumed probably more than he meant to.

"When he came to going home he decided he couldn't drive but there were no taxis available."

The court heard Hall suffered from alcohol problems which stems from emotional and family issues. He been seeing a counsellor and booked into The Priory for a psychiatric assessment.

Bench chairwoman Angela Pratt, said: "You had a very high alcohol reading. In fact it is off our scale." She said he could have been jailed.

Hall was banned from driving for four years and sentenced to 120 hours unpaid work in the community.

He was also ordered to pay £55 costs.

Meanwhile, factory worker Chamil Barzukaev was sentenced to a 32-month driving ban after he was caught drink-driving.

He took to the road after work pre-Christmas drinking session, South East Suffolk magistrates were told.

Barzukaev, 47, of Brookshall Road, Ipswich, admitted drink driving after a breath test showed 127mcg in 100ml of breath - three times the legal limit of 35mcg.

Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said: "He doesn't drink at home and alcohol has not been an issue.

"It is a classic example of drink after work with mates at Christmas time."

Father of three Barzukaev was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community.

Magistrates gave him the option of reducing his driving ban by eight months if he successfully completes a drivers' rehabilitation course.

He also has to pay £55 court costs.