A SOLIDER about to be sent to serve in Afghanistan was nearly double the legal drink-drive limit when he drove his wife's car without her permission, a court has heard.
A SOLIDER about to be sent to serve in Afghanistan was nearly double the legal drink-drive limit when he drove his wife's car without her permission, a court has heard.
Andrew Payne, a fusilier with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, fell foul of the law while on a visit to his wife in Lowestoft.
Tess James told Lowestoft Magistrates' Court how 21-year-old Payne was going out with his friends and took his wife's Ford Focus without her consent.
He was later stopped by police and found to have 69mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Payne pleaded guilty to drink-driving, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, driving without insurance and without a valid licence when he appeared before the court on Tuesday.
He was banned from driving for 16 months and ordered to pay total fines and costs of �525.
Kevin Batch, for Payne, presented a positive reference from a senior battalion official to magistrates.
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