A motorist who rolled his car into a bush had drunk a bottle of wine and downed a pint of Stella before getting into his vehicle.

James Russell was at the wheel of his Mazda when he was spotted driving erratically by another motorist in Ulcombe, near Maidstone, on July 5.

Another driver was so concerned about the the manner of the Surrey man’s driving that he followed him and even honked his horn to get him to stop.

Russell eventually slowed the car down to a halt in Headcorn Road, but as he did so, he rolled into a bush and hit a concrete kerb. The other driver arrived and took his keys out of his ignition and called the police.

The 51-year-old failed a roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

He was taken to a police station and completed further tests which gave a reading of 108 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

Russell of Oyster Lane, West Byfleet, Surrey, was charged with drink-driving and admitted the offence when he appeared before magistrates in Maidstone.

Debbie Jones, prosecuting, said: “It was 4pm on July 5 and a witness saw him driving erratically and honked his horn for him to stop.

“He did stop, but rolled into a bush and hit a concrete verge and the man took his keys away.

“The police were called and he was given a breath test and gave a reading of 108 in breath.”

The court was also told Russell, a coffee shop worker, had been on the phone to his ex-wife before the incident and he began drinking after the call.

He then called his girlfriend who had invited him to stay on a caravan holiday a day earlier and got into his car to drive to meet her.

Magistrates told Russell it was a high reading and he could have killed someone or himself and that his actions that day were stupid.

He was banned from driving for 26 months and was also placed on a 12-month community order which will see him complete 50 hours of unpaid work.

Russell was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 costs and if he completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.