CARMAN Howe tried to stick to the drink-driving rules after he was banned from driving last year – but on April Fool s Day he fell foul of the regulations again. This time police saw his car swaying across the carriageway, and he was stopped in Witchford

CARMAN Howe tried to stick to the drink-driving rules after he was banned from driving last year - but on April Fool's Day he fell foul of the regulations again.

This time police saw his car swaying across the carriageway, and he was stopped in Witchford Road at Ely and failed a breathalyser test.

"I did try to stick to the guidelines, I had a drink straight after work," he explained to city magistrates on Thursday.

"This put me over the limit because of my slim build and my tiredness."

He had given a blood test reading of 88 mgs of alcohol in 100 mls of blood, when the legal limit is 80 mgs.

After 22-year-old Howe was disqualified from driving for a year in March 2005 he took part in a rehabilitation course that knocked three months off the ban.

Facing a three-year ban for the latest offence, Howe, of Ponts Hill, Littleport told the court: "Obviously I need a refresher after a year."

Apologising for his behaviour, Howe said he worked for his father and for a night club in Newmarket, and was facing homelessness at the end of the month.

He was banned from driving for another three years - but the magistrates again offered him a place on the course that will knock nine months off the ban. He was fined £120 with £75 costs.