ALCOHOLIC David Frame had drunk two pints of cider before tucking into a hearty breakfast on the morning he was caught drink-driving. Frame gave a breath test reading more than three times the legal limit – and on Thursday magistrates banned him from driv

ALCOHOLIC David Frame had drunk two pints of cider before tucking into a hearty breakfast on the morning he was caught drink-driving.

Frame gave a breath test reading more than three times the legal limit - and on Thursday magistrates banned him from driving for four years.

The 55-year-old was also ordered to take part in a drink impaired driver's programme as part of a 12-month supervision order and must carry out 12 hours of unpaid community work.

Ely magistrates refused to give Frame the chance to reduce his ban by taking part in a rehabilitation course.

It was just after 9.30am when police saw Frame in a queue of traffic in Fordham on September 5, said prosecutor Laura Mardell.

Frame, of Mildenhall Road, Fordham, had spoken to another driver in the queue before returning to his own vehicle and driving off. That driver suggested Frame was drunk, so police decided to follow his Ford Fiesta.

"An officer caught up with Frame's vehicle and stopped him," said Miss Mardell. "He was asked to drive into an industrial estate nearby, and during that short journey, Frame's car drove from the nearside to the offside of the carriageway, suggesting he had been drinking.

"He told police he had drunk two pints of cider before having a big breakfast, so was surprised at his test reading."

Solicitor Nicholas Barnes explained: "My client has struggled with alcohol for sometime. He has been prescribed medication, he does engage with Alcoholics Anonymous, and his doctor.

"There have been some recent triggers, including the death of his wife in May last year.

"He is desperate to deal with the problem he has with alcohol.