A LEISTON man has admitted being over the drink-drive limit when his Alfa Romeo hit a telegraph pole, fatally injuring his friend.

Thomas Ward, of Aldringham Park, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday to death by careless driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

The 25-year-old was warned he faces a custodial sentence after causing the death of father-of-one Luke Barham, of Saxmundham, on November 21 last year.

The court heard Ward drove without due care and attention, and had somewhere between 100 milligrammes and 180 mlgs of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 mlgs.

Judge David Goodin said the case was a tragedy in which someone Ward knew died because of his driving.

He then ordered a pre-sentence report and told Ward that a custodial sentence would follow.

The case was adjourned for sentencing July 21.

Ward, who was disqualified from driving, was released on bail.

The tragedy happened on the A1094 Aldeburgh Road at Friston.

Ward’s Alfa Romeo crashed into a ditch after colliding with the telegraph pole.

Mr Barham, who was a keen footballer and worked at Sizewell Power Station, died at Ipswich Hospital.

He was father to a four-year-old son.

At the time of his death the 25-year-old’s family described him as a “precious” son, brother and uncle who would be greatly missed by all who loved him.

His mother, Debby Bagstaff, said: “He was a very good father.

“He was a very precious son – the one and only.”