A former motor mechanic was found to be more than three times the drink-drive limit after he crashed into a traffic light.

David Parsons’ Vauxhall Astra knocked over the stop light at the junction of Drakes Way and Penny Lane at around 11.40pm on May 3.

Inside, the 43-year-old had his mobile phone in his hand. Slurring his words, he told officers he couldn’t remember exactly what had happened.

A roadside breath test proved he was over the drink-drive limit. He was arrested and taken to the police station, where he blew 113 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Interviewed by police, he said he’d been at his girlfriend’s house earlier that evening doing some flooring work. He’d drunk alcohol while doing that work but, after they had argued, decided to leave. He couldn’t remember the crash – just waking up after his car had hit the light.

Parsons, of Alveston Close, Westlea, pleaded guilty to drink driving. Representing himself in the court hearing, he told magistrates: “I just want to apologise.”

JPs were told he was a motorcycle mechanic by trade but had been made redundant. He was looking for work.

Magistrates fined him £200, banned him from driving for two years and four months and ordered he pay £69 in costs and surcharge.