A FORMER chef at a popular restaurant drank "a few beers" before he got onto his motorbike and was involved in a collision.

Gary Stephens, who was a chef at the Barn Brasserie, in Great Tey, had drank at home before taking his Honda motorbike on a trip to Colchester.

But on his way back home, at about 8.50pm, he was involved in a collision with a silver Honda Jazz car at a roundabout in Marks Tey.

Stephens, who is now working in Ipswich, and lives in Colne Road, Halstead, believed the car would take the exit before his but instead the two vehicles attempted to leave the junction at the same time and collided.

The chef, 37, was thrown from his bike and sustained a broken collar bone.

While he was being treated, he recorded a positive roadside breath test.

A later hospital test recorded 98mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Stephens admitted drink drinking on August 23 when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He said: "In all the years of driving I have never had even a speeding fine.

"It was a nice hot day and I had a few beers at home.

"I didn't feel that affected by it."

He added: "On the way back [from Colchester] I was hit by a car and that's the reason I'm here today.

"It was a stupid thing to do and I regret it."

Magistrates disqualified Stephens from driving for two years and fined him £445.

He must also pay £130 in court costs and charges.