Driver bannedfor three years

John Rattray, 33, of Coppards Lane, Northiam, pleaded guilty to the offence and was also made the subject of a one-year community order and ordered to pay £85 costs.

It comes in the latest round of prosecutions which has seen a further 23 drivers from across the country being banned.

Five of those arrested already had drink drive related convictions in the past.

It brings the current total for the Christmas and New Year crack-down to 91 with a further 54 drivers having been charged with drink or drug driving offences and currently on bail.

Chief Inspector Natalie Moloney said: “Even though we are in March now the courts are still having to deal with the cases of selfish drivers who got behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.

“The fact that five of the latest group to be dealt with had previously been prosecuted for the same thing is very disappointing. Clearly being banned from the roads is not enough of a deterrent to them.

“Hopefully their time as pedestrians will convince them of the cost of mixing drink and driving and might prevent them from doing it again.”

The oldest driver to be convicted in the latest round of prosecutuions was 73 year old Terrance Castle, from Normans Bay, who was banned for 17 months. The youngest was a 20 year old man from Chichester.

To report a suspected drink driver you can text officers on 65999 with the details.