A suspected drink-driver told police “I’m not going to be a t*** – you caught me red-handed” after being found asleep in his car, a court heard.
However, despite his honesty Matthew Last, of Manor Lane, Gosbeck, was so drunk he was unable to take a breath test.
The 29-year-old was banned from the road for 16 months at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court after he admitted failing to provide a breath specimen. He also pleaded guilty to driving with no insurance.
Prosecutor Colette Harper said the incident occurred at 10.15am on Sunday, November 9.
Police went to Radcliffe Drive, Ipswich, following a report of Last stumbling on the path and falling into a front garden. He then drove 50 yards up the road before bumping into the kerb and stopping.
When officers arrived, Last was in the driver’s seat of his Audi A3 smelling of alcohol and with his eyes closed.
He said he had been sleeping in the car since the previous Friday when he had been drinking with friends, the court heard.
When Last got out of the car he had to be helped by officers to stop him falling into the road. He failed a roadside breath test on two occasions.
A police report regarding Last’s failure to give a breath sample stated he was drunk and appeared to be falling asleep.
District Judge Celia Dawson told Last: “This was not a deliberate refusal. It was more that you were incapable of providing.”
In addition to his ban Last was fined £250 and must pay costs and a victim surcharge totalling £100.
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