IPSWICH: Two drivers are today facing lengthy road bans after getting behind the wheel well over the drink-drive limit.

Simon Clark, of Halls Drift, Kesgrave, was stopped in Bell Lane, Kesgrave, on March 30 on the way to pick up his children from school.

A subsequent breath test revealed that Clark, 44, had 149 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

Clark appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said: “The defendant was stopped at 3.15pm, he was going to pick his children up from school.

“He told police he was suffering from depression after the death of his father and was on medication for that.”

Michael Stephenson, for Clark, said: “This is a man who has been getting into depression and alcohol for reasons about his father, the loss of his job and the failure of a business venture.

“This has a lot to do with him driving with an appallingly high level of alcohol.”

Clark, who wept in the dock, was given an interim driving ban until May 4 when he will return to South East Suffolk Magistrates Court to be sentenced.

He will also be sentenced for a separate offence of domestic violence, to which he previously pleaded guilty.

Also appearing in court was Charlotte Clements, 28, of Green Oak Glade, Pinewood, Ipswich.

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett told the court that Clements was spotted by a security guard slumped in the driver’s seat of her car in New Cut, Ipswich, at 8.25pm on March 31.

Mr Ablett said: “He knocked on the window to wake her up and when she did, she started fumbling for her keys before dropping them.

“She drove off over Stoke Bridge and her car was reported to be swerving over the carriageway causing other cars to brake sharply.”

Clements, who pleaded guilty to drink- driving and driving without insurance, had 115 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Clements was released on unconditional bail to return to the court on May 4 for sentencing.