AN ELY man was caught slumped at the wheel of his car, three times over the drink drive limit, with the radio blaring, Ely magistrates heard on Tuesday. Alcoholic James Cooper, 56, of Egremont Street, was caught on April 10 by an off duty police officer

AN ELY man was caught slumped at the wheel of his car, three times over the drink drive limit, with the radio blaring, Ely magistrates heard on Tuesday.

Alcoholic James Cooper, 56, of Egremont Street, was caught on April 10 by an off duty police officer who noticed Cooper's blue Mercedes in the car park of St Mary's Church in Egremont Street.

He found Cooper with his head on the steering wheel and the keys in the ignition, prosecutor Emma Dmitriev told the court.

Defence solicitor Sandeep Kainth said his client, who has a string of drink-drive convictions dating back to 1998, had voluntarily checked himself into the Priory Clinic in London - renowned for its celebrity clientele. Cooper admitted himself as an emergency on April 15 and embarked on a four-week detox programme, and has not had a drink since, the court was told.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for six years, and gave him 250 hours of unpaid work.

Kathy Bradney, sentencing said: "For the offence of excess alcohol, and because of the very high levels, we are going to disqualify you from driving for six years. The fact that you have addressed your alcohol issue is what has kept you out of custody today.