A CHARD man who was more than two-and-a-half times the drink/drive limit when he was seen on his journey home has been given a 23-month driving ban.

Ladislav Kral had been drinking to deal with his personal stress when he decided to go out in his car.

However, when he appeared in the dock at Yeovil, it was said he had no idea why he drove that night and couldn’t remember how much he had drunk.

The 28-year-old, of Henson Park, pleaded guilty to driving a Toyota Yaris in Chard on November 26 after consuming excess alcohol.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that police were called to Henson Park in Chard at 7.40pm by a witness following an incident that had occurred.

“Kral had been seen parking his Toyota vehicle, and when the officers arrived they found the car which had been left parked at an odd angle,” she said.

“When they spoke to the defendant he smelt of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet so was arrested and taken to the police station.”

Once there, a breath test was conducted which revealed a reading of 91mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg of alcohol.

Probation officer Joe Harper said Kral could not remember much about the offence at all and could not recall how much he drank that day or the reasons why.

Mr Harper said: “It appears he was going through some stress in his life at the time and there was an anniversary relating to his mother which had affected him. He drank as a way of coping and he now fully regrets his actions and wants to apologise to the court.

“He realises he will end up losing his licence and appreciates drink/driving is a very serious matter and understands the potential dangers involved.”

He added that Kral, who worked in Crewkerne, did not normally drink much alcohol and his thinking had clearly been impaired.

Defending solicitor Jeffrey Bannister added alcohol was not generally a problem for his client but conceded the reading had been very high on this occasion.

Alongside the disqualification, the magistrates fined the defendant £461 with £85 costs and a £46 victim surcharge.