A former servicemen has been banned from driving after crashing his car on Remembrance Sunday while nearly three times the legal alcohol limit.

Matthew Bowyer, formerly of Orwell Park, Nacton, told Ipswich magistrates the incident had caused him to lose his home and his job as an ex-military intern and he is now living with his mother in Plumstead Road, Norwich.

The 31-year-old admitted drink-driving in his Saab on November 8 in Broad Street, Eye.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said police were called to Broad Street at 6.40pm after Bowyer’s silver Saab had crashed into a ditch on the B1077.

After speaking to officers Bowyer was given a roadside breath test which indicated a positive reading.

A subsequent breath test showed he had 93 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Bowyer, representing himself, told magistrates: “I’m deeply sorry for being here. I’m hugely ashamed.

“It has cost me my home and my job. I don’t know what possessed me to get into the car.”

Bowyer said the incident occurred on Remembrance Sunday and he was a veteran of the services.

He added: “Normally I would not get into a car having drunk alcohol at all.

“I don’t know what went through my mind.”

Bowyer said he had been in the Army until 2008 and was then re-called in 2009 to serve in Afghanistan.

He also told the court he was now unemployed as an ex-military internship was terminated as a result of his drink-driving offence.

Magistrates disqualified Bowyer from driving for 23 months. He was also given a 12-month community order during which he must undertake 100-hours’ unpaid work. In addition Bowyer must pay a £150 criminal courts charge and £60 to the victims’ fund.