A FIVE-year driving ban has been imposed on Sutton man Haydn Robins, who committed his sixth drink driving offence on the night he crashed a car into a ditch and then called police. And although Ely magistrates considered sending Robins to jail immediatel

A FIVE-year driving ban has been imposed on Sutton man Haydn Robins, who committed his sixth drink driving offence on the night he crashed a car into a ditch and then called police.

And although Ely magistrates considered sending Robins to jail immediately, they gave him a two-month suspended jail sentence instead.

"We are very concerned for the safety of the public," he was told by presiding magistrate Susan Thompson. "It is a miracle you didn't hit anyone."

Thirty-two-year-old Robins, of Saffron Piece, Sutton, had recently completed a detox programme, the court was told, and he will be referred to Drinksense.

Robins called police in the early hours of September 29 to report the crash, said prosecutor Matthew Bradbury. He had been drinking and was a disqualified driver.

Last month he was given a 200-hour unpaid work order and 18 months supervision for driving while disqualified on the same occasion. The drink-driving offence had not been dealt with at the same time, because forensic test results were needed.

Robins was involved in the crash in the early hours of September 29, said Mr Bradbury. He called police to say he had lost control of the car on the A142 at Witchford, near the junction of Common Road.

Robins had drunk three pints before driving, and consumed another two cans of lager after the accident.

His breath test reading was 45 mcgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath, when the legal limit is 35 mcgs.

Mitigating, Adam Haselhurst said: "He does recognise he has a drink problem. He was very co-operative with the police, and told them exactly what he had done."

Presiding magistrate Susan Thompson told Robins: "We do commend you for having the courage to telephone the police and own up.