A DRINK driver who was found to be more than double the legal alcohol limit was stopped by police after they spotted his car striking a kerb.

Benjamin Smith, 37, was spotted by officers driving along Colne Causeway, Colchester, on March 6.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard police followed Smith after they witnessed him striking a kerb as he exited a roundabout.

Officers pulled him over and smelled alcohol on him and noticed he was slurring his words and saw he was unsteady on his feet.

He admitted he had been drinking gin and that his last drink was 20 minutes before he was stopped by the police.

The court heard following two tests at the police station, he was found to have 82mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Smith, of Station Road, Alresford, admitted one charge of drink driving.

Selena Dines, mitigating, said: “The defendant had been drinking at home. He said he felt he was OK to drive and was going to his girlfriend’s address."

Smith was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to pay £259 in fines and court costs.