THREE law-breaking drink drivers are being named and shamed by the Evening Star today as they face up to lengthy spells off the road.

SUFFOLK: Three law-breaking drink drivers are being named and shamed by the Evening Star today as they face up to lengthy spells off the road.

The men who appeared before magistrates' in Ipswich yesterday pleaded guilty or had previously pleaded guilty to charges of driving a car when the alcohol level is above the limit.

The careless trio have been kicked off the roads just a week after the Star launched its annual Christmas and New Year drink-drive campaign with a pledge to name and shame death wish motorists.

This included 19-year-old James Arbon who was found by police officers at 5.30am on November 26 asleep in his VW Golf in Norwich Road, Ipswich.

The court heard that Arbon, of Fiske Close, Bury St Edmunds, had been out in Ipswich drinking after work and got into his car to sleep off the alcohol. He told the court that he had no intention of driving.

But at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court he was given 10 penalty points on his licence. Because he is a new driver this will result in him having to take his driving test again. He will also have to pay a �135 fine, �85 court costs and a �15 victim surcharge.

Also appearing in court was 24-year-old Michael Hill, from Gaskell Place, Ipswich. He was arrested in the early hours of November 28.

Police officers saw the father-of-one getting into a car in St Nicholas Street and drive it down St Peter's Street. He was spotted by officers mounting the curb. The court heard that he went into the town centre to have something to eat. But he met up with a couple of friends unexpectedly and decided to go and have a few drinks. He said there was no intention of him driving home but he noticed his car was blocking an entrance to flats so he decided to move the car further up the road.

Shelley Lapatrie, representing Hill, said: “He is extremely apologetic and regrets his actions massively and is aware of the impact that this will now have on him and his mother who will have to ferry him around and take him to places.”

Magistrates' banned him from driving for 18 months and he was given a �100 fine, ordered to pay �85 in costs and a �15 victim surcharge.

Paul Lingham, 36, who lives at the Salvation Army, in Ipswich, was given an interim driving disqualification. He was arrested on October 21 following a crash on the B1119 near Framlingham and was found to be over the legal limit. The court heard that he has a “significant” drink problem which in the past included drinking a bottle of vodka a day. His case was adjourned to be sentenced on Friday.

Also in court was 50-year-old Colin Harper, from Lavenham Road, Ipswich, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level is above the limit. He was breathalysed and arrested on October 17 on the A12 at Martlesham. He was charged by police with having 98mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. He will appear in court again next Wednesday.

Three people appeared in court yesterday and admitted drink-driving:

James Arbon, 19

Fiske Close, Bury St Edmunds.

Pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a motor-vehicle with alcohol level above limit.

He was arrested on November 26 in Norwich Road, Ipswich, and was charged with having 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Michael Hill, 24

Gaskell Place, Ipswich.

He was arrested in the early hours of November 28. He was later charged by police with having 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - double the legal limit.

Paul Lingham, 36

The Salvation Army, in Ipswich

Given an interim driving disqualification after he had previously pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit. He had also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking (initial taker) and property damage under �5,000, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He will be sentenced on Friday after admitting shoplifting and possessing a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.

THE Star is pledging to name and shame drink drivers during the Christmas and New Year period.

For more than 10 years we have run our festive campaign alongside those of Suffolk Constabulary and the government. We do it for one reason, and one reason only - to prevent lives being destroyed.

Once again, we will cover all the drink-driver cases which come before magistrates in Ipswich between December 1 and January 1, 2010.

- Has drink-driving affected you or your family? E-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or write to Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1A