AN 88-YEAR-OLD man believed to be the oldest drink driver in the country has been banned from the roads for a year. On December 15 at 8pm, David Bye was driving his Skoda on the A14 when he was stopped in Felixstowe by police for his “erratic” driving.

Bye, of Westerfield Road, Ipswich, who was described as extremely deaf, was driving at a very slow speed and was swerving across the central white lines.

He was breathalysed at the scene and taken to a police station where he was found to have 94milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrammes.

District Judge Celia Dawson, at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, said: “I appreciate it is very difficult for you. You are 88 years old and you have never been in court before. I am pleased that you have sold your car. If you say you want to continue driving, I would disqualify you until you passed a driving test which you might find very difficult at your age.”

The judge gave credit for the guilty plea and took into account Bye’s clean record and income.

Bye was fined £140 and disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and £20 to the victim’s fund.

He was not represented in court and was supported by his family.