A DRUNK driver caught back behind the wheel just months after being banned has apologised for losing control of his life.

The court heard his young son’s Down’s Syndrome and recent open heart surgery had become too much for him.

Howard Keep staggered to a friend’s house after drinking, breaking the back gate, before being told to leave.

He was caught sitting in the driver’s seat of a Vauxhall Astra a few minutes later, although the engine was not running.

It was 7.30am in the morning and he was almost twice the legal limit.

Keep, of Stanes Road, Braintree, admitted criminal damage and being in charge of the motor vehicle while over the limit at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Keep visited the home in Warner Close, Braintree on October 6.

Bob Rowlingson, prosecuting, said: “The victim heard a bang outside and when she looked out she noticed the wooden gate was broken and she saw Keep in the back garden.

“She told him to leave and he did.”

He went and sat in the car with the keys beside him.

Police arrived and he was taken to the police station.

He had 146 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

The legal limit is 80.

James O’Toole, mitigating, said: “He is very sorry. His three-and-a-half-year-old son has Down’s Syndrome and recently had open heart surgery.

“Mr Keep is having counselling and has cut back on alcohol.

“He wants to get his life back.”

Keep was fined £80 for being in charge of the vehicle and banned from driving for a year, to run alongside the ban he was given in July for drink driving.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation for the broken gate.

Chairman of the bench Barry Hawes said: “We note your reasons and wish to get your life back on track but you are faced with an excess alcohol charge.

"Should you drive any motor vehicle you are likely to be charged with driving while disqualified and could be jailed."