A TEARFUL drink driver broke down in court when he learned he would be banned after he was stopped with a 'distressed' child in his car, a mistake which will cost both himself and his wife a job.

Jorge Lima appeared before magistrates on Thursday after he was caught drink driving in Tolladine Road, Worcester and stumbled out of the car, the court heard.

The 46-year-old of Ennerdale Close, Warndon, Worcester admitting driving with excess alcohol at around 12.10am on September 13 this year.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said: "They had cause to stop the car and they will say that he stumbled out of the vehicle on the driver's side and they determined he should provide a breath test."

Officers described a child in the Kia as 'visibly distressed' and 'the officers saw fit to put in their statements that they had to comfort the child' said Mr Hambling.

The defendant was arrested and taken to Worcester Police Station where the evidential reading was 87mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, close to two and a half times the limit of 35mcg.

Lima had no previous convictions.

Lima, who represented himself, said: "I drank two pints and I drove. I'm guilty. But the problem is I need my driving licence to work. I work in Cheltenham Racecourse. My wife is working there as well."

He explained that his wife, who appeared emotional at the back of court, did not drive and that he took them both to work.

The clerk told him that a driving ban was mandatory when it came to driving with excess alcohol. Appearing tearful, the defendant said: "If I lose my licence I cannot pay my bills."

The chairman of the bench banned him from driving for 18 months, telling him that the offence was even more serious because he had a child in the car at the time.

However, magistrates also took account of the impact the ban would have on his life when passing sentence, offering him the drink drivers rehabilitation course.

If he completes the course by September 9 next year it will reduce the length of the ban by 18 weeks. They fined him £323, ordered him to pay £135 costs and a victim surcharge of £34.

Lima broke down in tears as he left court.