A DRINK-DRIVER who was caught on the A14 at nearly four times the legal alcohol limit says he deserved to be punished.

Bernard Middleton, of Park Lane in Kirton, was spared jail for the offence, which happened last month, but was disqualified from driving for three years.

Magistrates at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court in Ipswich also gave the 57-year-old a 12-week prison term, suspended for 12 months.

Following the sentencing, Beccy Rutter, who survived a horror crash caused by a drink driver, which killed her sister Emma Harold and friend Kate Wasyluk, said the law should not tolerate ANY alcohol in breath or blood.

The 29-year-old, who suffered life-changing injuries in the Foxhall Road crash in the early hours of February 21, 2009, said punishments for drink-drivers are not tough enough.

Middleton was caught when police spotted him driving his blue Kia Ceed on the Ipswich-bound A14 at Trimley on December 9.

The court heard a breath test showed he had 130 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mgs.

Speaking to the Star after the case, a contrite Middleton admitted the disqualification will cause him problems, but he accepted it was deserved.

He added: “I would like to apologise for the trouble that this has caused.

“I won’t be able to see my daughter and my son (who live outside Suffolk) but that is what I deserve. I drunk and drove so I have to take the punishment.

“I’m sorry I did it.”

Middleton pleaded guilty to drink-driving during his first appearance at magistrates court on December 31. In mitigation his solicitor, Michael Stephenson, said: “He [Middleton] said to police that he was drunk and an idiot.

“I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.”

The case was adjourned then for a pre-sentence report to be compiled.

In addition to his suspended prison term and driving ban, Middleton was ordered to pay £80 to the victims’ fund and £85 costs.

He must also abide by a 12-month supervision requirement and participate in an alcohol specified activity requirement for ten days.

Another drink-driver from the Felixstowe area has also been banned from the road.

Docker Michael Slark was disqualified for 12 months and fined £700 after admitting driving with excess alcohol.

He must also pay £70 to the victims’ fund and £85 costs.

Slark, of Bath Road, Felixstowe, was caught driving in the town at 1.10am on December 23.

Police saw his Y-reg Volkswagen Bora driving at speed along Undercliff Road West. Officers followed him along Convalescent Hill, before he was finally stopped in Cambridge Road.

Magistrates heard a test showed Slark had 52 mcgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath.