A POST Office employee who drove while three times the drink drive limit has narrowly avoided jail.

Michael McGovern was travelling at 15mph – half the speed limit – when he mounted the kerb in St Peter’s Drive, Worcester. Another driver noted his odd behaviour and called the police.

When officers arrived at his home in Church Lane, Norton, near Worcester, they found 53-year-old McGovern climbing over a fence.

He later told them he had been out to buy vodka, but only began drinking it when he got home.

Sallie Hewitt, prosecuting, said: “A bottle of vodka was seen in the defendant’s vehicle. About one fifth of its content was left.”

McGovern, who admitted drink-driving when he apepared at Worcester Magistrates Court, had 125mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mcg.

Judith Kenney, defending, said he had been off work for six months due to ill health.

McGovern was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months with a supervision requirement.

He was banned from driving for four years, ordered to go on a drink impaired drivers course and told to pay £60 court costs.