AN Army staff sergeant has been spared unpaid work after a glowing character reference from officers, despite getting drunk at an official function and crashing his car.

Colchester Magistrates Court heard Gavin Dickinson, a platoon commander at the Military Corrective Training Centre on Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester, had been drinking at a mess party before deciding to drive his Vauxhall Corsa.

He suffered minor injuries when he crashed the car into a ditch.

He had only driven 400 metres down the road.

After initially trying to walk away from the crash, Dickinson, who lives at the Military Corrective Training Centre, admitted he had been driving but said he did not know why he had decided to go out.

When he was breathalysed Dickinson, 38, was found to have 93 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Dickinson has no previous convictions and a senior army officer gave a character reference to magistrates when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court to admit drink driving.

Andrew Young, mitigating for Dickinson, said if magistrates imposed 100 hours of unpaid work he could be forced to leave his position.

He said: “At a mess function he had been drinking alcohol and had no idea why he got into his vehicle.

“No-one was around at the time and it was only him who got hurt, suffering some minor injuries.”

Mr Young added: “There is a chance he could be discharged or have his rank reduced after 22 years in the Army.

“He has four children - two in Cumbria and two in Blackpool.

“He knows he will be losing his licence for a considerable amount of time and regularly goes to visit them.

“Using public transport will be a financial burden but he knows he has no-one to blame but himself.

“He is extremely embarrassed and devastated.”

Magistrates said Dickinson’s exemplary character and reference meant they would not sentence him to unpaid work.

However, he was given a £414 fine and forced to pay a £41 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

He was also banned from driving for two years.