A former soldier was caught drink driving when he moved his car on Royal Wootton Bassett high street the night before the Ride of Respect.

Joshua Davies, 24, of Salley Pussey’s, had been out drinking with friends in March and had intended to leave his Ford Fiesta in a parking space overnight.

But one of his pals reminded him it was the Ride of Respect, an event which sees thousands of bikers travel through the town to remember the country’s war heroes, the next morning.

Fearing his car would be towed, Davies tried to find someone to move it, knowing he was over the drink-drive limit.

When that plan failed he decided to have a go himself.

But as he drove through the hight street, he was was seen by a police officer to hit a parked Ford Mondeo.

Davies, who was serving in 17 Port and Maritime Regiment as recently as October, was taken to Gablecross Police Station, in Swindon, where his alcohol level was measured at nearly three times the legal limit.

Defending, Andrew Watts-Jones said: “He hadn’t intended to drink-drive that night and has always taken care to avoid offending. He has never been in trouble before.

“It was a very stpid thing to do and he is very sorry. He gave a high reading (of alcohol in his blood) and he is under no illusions about the likely length of any disqualification because of that.”

Magistrates disqualified Davies from driving for two years and imposed a £500 penalty on him in fines and costs.