MOTORIST Steven Thorne was banned from the road for a year after he was spotted drink driving by a plain clothes detective.

The officer, in an unmarked car, called colleagues after seeing a Vauxhall Nova weaving along Fleming Way without its lights on in the early hours of October 21, magistrates heard.

Olive Smith, prosecuting, said other motorists were flashing at the driver and the car's lights were finally turned on as it went along Queens Drive.

A marked car arrived as Thorne, 35, pulled into his driveway on Thornhill Road, South Marston, and the officer could smell drink on the motorist, who was unsteady on his feet. When the officer said he suspected he had been drinking Thorne replied "Yes I must admit I have had four or five pints."

He was taken to the police station and found to have 55 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35. He pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Defending himself, Thorne said: "I had been to a friend's house and had a few drinks and it was my only way of getting home. It is not something I usually do."

As well as the ban he was fined £175 and ordered to pay £55 costs.