A LORRY driver who crashed through a hedge and narrowly missed several cars while three times over the drink-drive limit has been banned from the roads.

Joseph Ceasar, 39, of Merestone Road in Hereford pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates Court to driving while over the alcohol limit and has now been disqualified from driving for two years.

He received a community order which includes an unpaid work requirement and must pay court costs and surcharges.

Shortly before 11am on Sunday August 22, police received calls from members of the public about a HGV swerving on the road between Marlborough and Swindon then crossing the central white line and leaving the road on the opposite side, going through a seven-foot-tall hedge and ending up in a crop field.

Officers responded along with the ambulance service. After a roadside breathalyser, they found that Ceasar was drunk, they arrested him on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit and took him into custody at Gablecross Police Station.

He then gave a reading of three times above the legal alcohol limit.

PC Sam Bridgeman said: "We continue to stress the dangers of drink driving and there is no excuse to get behind the wheel of a vehicle whilst under the influence of drink.

“In doing so, you have reduced capacity to control the vehicle you are driving, putting other road users at significant risk, especially when that vehicle is a HGV.

“It is only luck that Ceasar, who was highly intoxicated when we arrived at the scene of the collision, did not bring harm to anyone else on the road that day.

“We are thankful to the members of public who not only called us with their concerns regarding Ceasar’s driving but also stopped and ensured that Ceasar did not attempt to continue his journey.

“We will continue to show a zero tolerance policy to drink and drug driving and hope that Ceasar understands the severity of his actions.”

Anyone who is suspicious of someone driving dangerously or under the influence of alcohol or drugs should call 101 and give as much information as possible, including the driver's details or description and their car registration.

If a crime is being committed and somebody is already behind the wheel then call 999.