A DRINK driver who capped off a boozy trip to the pub with friends by getting behind the wheel while three times the legal limit was caught by police officers after he struck the kerb.

Troy Webster, 23, claimed his clutch failed while driving, causing his car to hit the side of the road as he tried to bring it to a safe stop.

Louise Maples, prosecuting, described how a worried witness raised the alarm.

“A member of the public saw three men attempting to drive a Vauxhall Vectra in Colchester, reporting it had collided with a kerb,” she said.

“Officers attended and saw the vehicle being driven in Hawthorn Avenue.”

She added: “The officer formed the opinion the defendant was drunk.

“His speech was slurred, he smelled of alcohol and his pupils were dilated.”

When Webster provided a sample at the police station, the test recorded 105mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, Webster admitted a single drink driving charge.

Caroline Woodley, mitigating, said the offence had occurred during a difficult time in his family life.

“What happened is connected to a relationship breakdown,” she said. “They had been together for three years and had two children together.

“Initially he wasn’t having contact with the children but that has now been re-established.

"When he wasn’t seeing them regularly his drinking got out of control.”

Ms Woodley described how unemployed Webster had been at the pub with friends but “didn’t really feel the effects” of the alcohol.

She added: “He drove his car to Colchester from Copford and during that journey he realised the clutch had failed on the vehicle.

“That’s why he struck a kerb as recounted by the member of the public.

"He was trying to bring the vehicle to the side of the road safely.”

Ms Woodley told magistrates Webster no longer has access to his car after the Vectra, worth £350, was scrapped following the clutch failure.

She said Webster had worked in landscaping for six or seven years, but is currently claiming Universal Credit.

Magistrates disqualified Webster, of Hazell Avenue, Colchester, from driving for a total period of 25 months.

He must complete 60 hours of unpaid work and pay £195 in fines and court costs.