A DRUNK driver has been disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Nelson Ferreira-Monteiro, 38, of Prospero Way in Swindon, pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit.

He had been spotted by a police officer in Hoopers Place at around 4am on June 24.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said: "A sergeant saw him driving at excess speed.

"When the vehicle is stopped, he noticed that Mr Ferreira-Monteiro smelt intoxicated.

"The defendant's eyes were glazed and his speech was slurred.

"He is a man of previous good character."

A breathalyser test at the police station revealed that he had 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Mr Ferreira-Monteiro was not interviewed at the station because he required a Portuguese translator.

A translator relayed the details of the court proceedings to him when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court last week.

Emma Charleton, defending, said: "He works in a coffee shop in Manchester Road and supports his partner and young children.

"He told me that usually he would get a taxi home after drinking.

"Unfortunately, he had had a few drinks after work and had been persuaded to give people lifts home, which was a terrible mistake.

"He's very sorry about what happened."

In addition to his disqualification, he was fined £276 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and £30 to victim services.