A DRINK driver who smashed into a lamppost has been banned from the roads.

Police were called to a crash in Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey, where a Skoda Octavia had ended up in a hedge after careering into the post.

Paramedics were called and the driver, William Robertson, was transported to hospital.

An officers accompanied him and said he smelt of alcohol.

A blood test showed he had 118mlgs of alcohol in 100mls of blood. The legal limit is 80.

In a prepared statement during a police interview, the 32-year-old accepted he was the driver of the car.

But during an appearance at Colchester Magistrates' Court he admitted drink driving.

Roger Brice, mitigating, said: "He has been driving all his life and this is a complete aberration.

"He had been to a meeting with work colleagues and had consumed alcohol.

"I have explained to him there is no discretion and he will lose his right to drive."

Robertson, of Grantham Avenue, Great Notley, was given a year-long ban from the roads.

He was fined £574 and must pay costs of £105 and a £57 victim surcharge.