SUBMARINER Ryan Szulc had been celebrating the end of a six-month tour of duty in the Middle East before he was caught drink-driving. Szulc was stopped by police in Soham – and briefly ran off before he was breathalysed, Ely magistrates were told. Appeari

SUBMARINER Ryan Szulc had been celebrating the end of a six-month tour of duty in the Middle East before he was caught drink-driving.

Szulc was stopped by police in Soham - and briefly ran off before he was breathalysed, Ely magistrates were told.

Appearing at the city courthouse on Thursday, 24-year-old Szulc, of Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, admitted driving with an alcohol reading almost double the legal limit in Fountain Lane, Soham, on April 14.

"Szulc was driving a Metro when police pulled him over," said prosecutor Delia Matthews.

"He briefly ran off and hid in a garden, and later blew 67 mcgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath, when the legal limit is 35 mcgs."

Solicitor Jacqui Baldwin said: "He is very aware he behaved in an irresponsible manner and he certainly should not have taken the decision to drive.

"He had driven about one kilometre. He was pulled over; there was no incident or accident. He ran off, but was promptly pulled out and then co-operated."

Miss Baldwin said the incident could have "huge implications" for Szulc's career in the navy.

"He serves in the navy submarine service, and had just returned from six months in the Middle East," she explained. "He had been out celebrating with his family. There will be a consequential hearing with the navy."

Banning Szulc from driving for 17 months, presiding magistrate Sue Thompson told him: "It is a shame that a moment's celebration came to this."

Szulc was fined �320 with a �15 surcharge and �70 costs.