A NEW dad who drank a crate of beer with pals to celebrate his newborn baby arriving safely was caught driving while more than double the drink-drive limit.

Lee Gough was stopped at 3.12am by police after officers spotted the Vauxhall Corsa he was driving veering between lanes on the A120 at Great Bentley.

Gough, 32, told the court he had been celebrating the birth of his child with friends and had not planned to drive but his friend, who owned the car, began to feel dizzy at the wheel.

So he offered to take over.

Gough, of Nacton Road, in Ipswich, admitted drink driving and driving without insurance at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Emma Howson, prosecuting, said: "At 3.12am, the defendant was driving a silver Vauxhall Corsa.

"He was seen driving at a slow speed and swerving between lanes."

Gough was subsequently breathalysed and recorded 72mg per 100ml of breath. The legal limit it 35mg.

A Police National Computer check also revealed he was not insured to drive the Corsa on April 23.

Gough, who represented himself, told the court: "I had just had a newborn baby and was out with mates to wet the baby's head.

"We bought a crate and we drank it.

"When we got into the car, my mate who was driving said: 'Lee, I feel a bit dizzy.'"

He added: "We pulled over and I said I would carry on until he got better.

"That's when officers stopped me.

"I didn't feel absolutely drunk and I didn't feel 'everywhere'. I was OK.

"Obviously I wasn't and I'm sorry for what I have done."

Magistrates fined Gough £240 and ordered him to pay £115 in charges and costs.

He was also disqualified from driving for 20 months.