A FORDINGBRIDGE motorist has been banned from driving for 12 months after moving his car while under the influence of alcohol.

Salisbury Magistrates heard that Scott Jeffreys parked his Seat Ibiza car in the Castle Street car park before going out drinking with friends.

He returned to the vehicle in the early hours of October 1 and decided to move it before deciding he was too drunk to drive home.

Police patrolling the area at 2.50am found him asleep on the back seat after noticing the vehicle’s lights were on but the engine was not running.

A roadside breath test showed he was over twice the legal limit. He had 82 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Mr Jeffreys, 21, of 3 Ashford Road, Fordingbridge, pleaded guilty to drink driving on October 1.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said Mr Jeffreys had admitted to police that he had moved the car.

The court heard he had been out partying with friends in the city centre and had intended to take a taxi home but was unable to use his mobile phone to call a cab because the battery was flat.

He realised he had not put a parking ticket on his vehicle and moved it.

Mr Jeffreys told the court: “I fully accept the consequences of getting into the vehicle but I’d like you to know that I did not drive home.”

He was fined £290 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge – a total of £405 – and banned from driving for 12 months. Magistrates made a collection order.

If Mr Jeffreys takes a drink driver rehabilitation course before May 19 2018 he can reduce his ban by 13 weeks.