A VAN driver narrowly avoided jail today after being nearly four times over the legal drink drive limit.Karl Fox, 37, downed up to four cans of strong larger the night before he was stopped by police in Kesgrave.

A VAN driver narrowly avoided jail today after being nearly four times over the legal drink drive limit.

Karl Fox, 37, downed up to four cans of strong larger the night before he was stopped by police in Kesgrave.

The court heard he has had an alcohol problem for more than two decades and turns to drink in times of depression.

Police spotted Fox reversing his Mercedes box van in Hall Road, Kesgrave, at 9.50 am October 15, South East Suffolk Magistrates were told.

Prosecutor Stephen Coleman told the court: "During the conversation the officer realised Fox had been drinking."

He was breath tested which revealed 134 mcg in 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

Nicky Edgar, mitigating, said: "This is a man who has had a drinking problem since he was about 12 years of age and has been struggling with that periodically."

She said Fox has money problems, depression and works long hours in his cab, returning home at weekends to see his son.

Ms Edgar said: "As far as he was aware he drunk three to four cans of Special Brew the night before.

"I does not deliberately go on a bingeing session when he is driving the next day."

However, the amount did not take into account his regular drinking pattern.

Magistrates heard Fox is trying to combat his drink problem.

The court heard his employer "spoke highly of him" was willing to hire him as a porter "in an non-driving capacity."

Fox, of Elston Drive, Keighley, West Yorkshire, was sentenced to a 12 month community rehabilitation order which will address his drink issues and depression.

He was also banned from driving for three years with the option of reducing the ban if he successfully completes a drivers' rehabilitation course.

In sentencing bench chairman Mick Hilton told him magistrates had considered a custodial sentence.

Meanwhile Stephen Alexander, 35, of the Wetfield travellers site at Melton, faces a possible jail sentence after drink driving in Woodbridge.

A breath test revealed 60 mcg in 100 ml of breath.

Magistrates ordered reports before sentencing him on November 27.