A MAN who was seen driving erratically around Chard town centre before reversing into another vehicle, was nearly three times the drink drive limit when police found him sat in the pub with a pint of Thatchers in his hand.

Witnesses had seen Luis Moreira reverse into another vehicle leaving his car blocking a driveway and on “Keep Clear” road markings.

He then stumbled out of the vehicle and into the Choughs Hotel where police found him drinking from a three quarters full pint of cider.

When he was breathalysed he gave a positive result and was also found to only hold a provisional licence, Somerset Magistrates were told.

Moreira, 45, of Manor Close, Chard, pleaded guilty to driving a Suzuki Vitara on Fore Street in Chard after consuming excess alcohol on October 9.

He also admitted driving without insurance or a licence when he appeared before the court at Yeovil.

Prosecutor Laura Gardner said that the police had a call in the early hours of the morning after a male had been seen getting out of a car and stumbling across the road before walking into the Choughs Hotel.

“He was slurring his words and under the influence of drink and parked his car leaving it blocking a driveway in a Keep Clear sign,” she said.

“The police also had another call describing the incident and saying the defendant had reversed into another car, and when officers went to the scene they found it with the nearside wheel on the pavement.

“When they walked into the Choughs Hotel Moreira was found holding a three quarters full pint of Thatchers.”

The defendant smelt strongly of alcohol and was taken to Yeovil police station where a breath test recorded a reading of 93mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol.

Defending solicitor Jeffrey Bannister said that Moreira did not normally drive the car as it belonged to his wife, but on the day in question she was in hospital and he went to visit her.

“He left on foot and went to see his brother, and while there he had a can of beer, walked home and then made the foolish decision to go out to get something to eat and drink,” he said.

“He does not know why he went into the car as he could as he could have easily walked there,” said defending solicitor Neil Priest.

“He had two pints of very strong cider, had some food and then decided to go to the Choughs.

“He was trying to park his car and collided with the other vehicle but there was no damage caused to it.”

Probation officer Joe Harper said that Moreira deeply regretted his actions and realised he made a stupid mistake that was out of character for him.

The magistrates sentenced the defendant to a six month community order with a 10 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and also banned him from driving for two years.