A DRINK-driver is paying the price today after his van smashed into a bench, a dog waste bin, and a road sign, before ending up in undergrowth.

Dean Shaw, of Main Road, Kesgrave, then left his vehicle at the scene, before heading home without contacting police.

When officers finally caught up with the 25-year-old a breath test showed he was more than three times the drink-drive limit.

At his sentencing at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, Shaw was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay over �1,000 in fines and costs.

The carpenter had previously pleaded guilty to driving when above the legal alcohol limit, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report an accident.

The accident occurred just before midnight on July 20 at the junction of Bent Lane and Rushmere Road in Rushmere St Andrew.

After Shaw’s VW Caddy left the road and collided with the bench, dog waste bin and sign, he got out of the vehicle, leaving it embedded in the shrubbery.

He then walked off towards Main Road and is believed to have got a lift home. When officers went to his address, police said they found him drinking a can of lager. He told them he had drunk two cans after arriving home.

He was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to the police investigation centre at Martlesham police headquarters.

A subsequent breath test showed he had 114 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

As a consequence Shaw, who had previously been charged with an offence of drink-driving in May 2007, is now banned from the road for 36 months.

He must also pay a fine of �665 for the excess alcohol offence, as well as a �265 fine for failing to stop after an accident.

In addition Shaw was ordered to pay �85 prosecution costs and a �15 victim surcharge.

n Has your life been affected by drink-driving? E-mail starletters@archant.co.uk or write to Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.