An Earith man who made a “spur of the moment decision” to get behind the wheel after drinking has been banned from driving for more than a year.

Mohamed El-Haoissi, of Cooks Drove, gave a reading of 46 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 milliltres of breath after he was involved in a collision with another car in Brook End on July 27. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Last Friday (August 11) at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court, El-Haoissi pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while above the legal alcohol limit.

The court heard that El-Haoissi was on his way to get some food from a local shop when the collision occurred, at about 5.45pm.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said: “Police received reports of a collision on the junction of Bridge End and High Street.

“When police officers arrived they spoke to the defendant and could smell alcohol on his breath.”

A breathalyser test was conducted at the scene by officers, before the 31-year-old was taken to a police station and another test was carried out.

“In interview the defendant admitted that prior to the road traffic collision he had three cans of beer and subsequently the collision occurred,” Mr Brown added.

The bench was told that the collision was only minor and those involved didn’t suffer any serious injuries.

Tahir Muhmood, in mitigation, said: “He was actually on a downward spiral [when the collision occurred]. Mr El-Haoissi doesn’t drink regularly or have a drink problem.

“This is out of character for him to act like this. He is extremely ashamed to be before the court today.

“He feels that he has let everybody down, his family and his friends. This was a spur of the moment decision and one he regrets.”

El-Haoissi was banned from driving for 14 months, with the option to shorten the length of the sentence by taking a drink drive course. He was also hit with a £400 fine, and ordered to pay a £40 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.