A LORRY driver who didn't have a licence and who swigged a can of super strength lager as he drove along the A14 is today banned from the road.

A LORRY driver who didn't have a licence and who swigged a can of super strength lager as he drove along the A14 is today banned from the road.

Nicholas Drury was nearly three times the drink-drive limit when he was stopped at Copdock interchange at 3.45pm on June 4 by traffic cops who had spotted him at the wheel gulping potent Special Brew.

The 56-year-old, who also had six unopened cans in his vehicle, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to driving with excess alcohol and to driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He also admitted to being in possession of a bladed article in a public place after police found he had a lock knife, which he claimed he used in the course of his work.

After his arrest, it emerged Drury's licence had been revoked on medical grounds in February.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that when he was breathalysed, Drury, of South Street, Faversham, Kent, had 90micrograms of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mgs.

Justices banned Drury from driving for three years and ordered him to pay court costs of £65.

He was also given a 13-week prison term suspended for a year and handed a 12-month supervision order.

Meanwhile, an order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.

At the earlier hearing when Drury admitted the charges, magistrate Ted Draper said: “We have to say we view the drinking and driving very seriously.

“Because you were actually drinking as you were progressing along the highway that clearly casts doubt on your judgment.

“Also, you were driving a very large vehicle.”

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