A football coach who fell asleep in his car while drunk has escaped a driving ban.

Police discovered David Coyle, who works for Colchester United training schoolchildren, snoozing in his Ford Mondeo.

The 24-year-old Clacton Town coach was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit when he was found in the Harwich and Parkeston Football Club car park, a court heard.

David Bryant, prosecuting, said the vehicle's engine was off but the lights were switched on when Coyle was found on December 18.

He told officers he had been to a Christmas party at a nearby pub and popped back to his car to sleep.

The court heard he could remember switching the engine on to heat up the vehicle, but had no recollection of switching the lights on.

Coyle, of Dixon Way, Wivenhoe, claimed he had drunk two glasses of wine and six beers and had no intention of driving. He had 98mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

He admitted being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal limit at yesterday's hearing.

District Judge David Cooper, who had discretionary powers to ban him from driving, decided to impose ten points on his licence after hearing about his "good works for the community".

Matthew Swash, mitigating, said Coyle needs his car to get him to different primary schools to coach children on behalf of Colchester United.

Coyle was fined £225 with £43 costs.