DRINK-driver Jody McNeil is regretting his actions today after his sister rang police when he took her car without permission while three times the legal alcohol limit.

The 24-year-old, of Heath Lane, Ipswich, is now banned from driving for 28 months after going 150 metres on his drunken jaunt, and then abandoning the Honda Accord before returning to his sister’s home.

McNeil admitted driving with excess alcohol and taking a car without consent when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Tess Mann told the court that on the night of August 8 McNeil and his sister had been drinking very heavily, so much so that she believed McNeil had passed out. While he was sleeping she went to bed, but was awoken by a noise.

She looked outside to see her brother driving away in her car. McNeil’s sister contacted the police and he returned around ten minutes later having abandoned the car.

McNeil returned the car keys and mobile phone he had also taken with him, before apologising for what he had done.

The court heard he initially said he could not remember where he had left the car.

McNeil went back out to look for it. Around ten minutes later police found him with the car in Braeburn Close.

A subsequent breath test showed he had 110 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

The court was told McNeil took the car because he wanted to see how an automatic vehicle drove. McNeil was said to be very disappointed with his behaviour and admitted being a binge drinker.

His solicitor Jonathan Ripman said: “The whole thing was an absolute disaster.”

In addition to his ban, District Judge Celia Dawson ordered McNeil to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work. He must also pay �85 costs.

Milen Georgiev, of Hollesley Road, Alderton, near Woodbridge, is also banned after police saw him driving erratically along Woods Lane in Melton at around 11.55pm on August 11.

The 30-year-old stopped on the A12 Shell garage forecourt in Grove Road on the outskirts of Woodbridge.

A breath test showed Georgiev had 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The court heard Georgiev, who admitted drink-driving, had not realised he was over the legal limit and had been foolish.

The agricultural worker was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined �300. He must also pay �85 costs and a victim surcharge of �15.