A drunk driver changed his plea after telling magistrates he could not afford the legal fees for a trial.

Luke Lynch, of Chestnut Avenue in Pinehurst, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on Monday for a case management hearing.

The 34-year-old had previously pleaded not guilty to driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the legal limit, and to driving without due care and attention.

His trial was due to take place in the summer but on May 13, he changed his plea for the drink driving offence to guilty.

This relates to an incident on July 26, 2023, when he drove a Volkskwagen Crafter around Spittleborough Roundabout on the A3102 Swindon Road near Junction 16 of the M4 while having 101 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in his system.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

The defendant, who had a solicitor during the first hearing but was now representing himself, explained the costs of hiring a solicitor for a trial were unaffordable.

He would have been sentenced on the same day but this was adjourned to May 20 so that he can prepare for an impending driving ban.

The driving without due care and attention charge was dismissed.