A DRINK-driver was forced to spend his 21st birthday in court after being caught behind the wheel nearly twice over the legal limit.

Charles Payne appeared before Weymouth Magistrates Court after being caught drink-driving on the Tunnel Road in Beaminster.

He pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit.

Payne was arrested as part of Dorset Police's Christmas drink and drug driving campaign.

He appeared in court on January 13, the day of his 21st birthday.

Elizabeth Valera prosecuting told the court how just after midnight on Christmas Eve police followed a Peugeot on the Tunnel Road being driven by Payne.

Officers observed the car swerving and going over the middle line of the road for "no particular reason".

Miss Valera added that the car went in to the Beaminster Tunnel and "nearly collided" with the tunnel wall.

Officers pulled the car over soon after and observed Payne to be drunk and took him to the police station.

When he was breathalysed the test reveal a result of 63 microgrammes of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of breath.

Miss Valera said that Payne was of previous good character.

Megan McGhee mitigating, told the court how Payne had just come home from Australia a few weeks ago, where he had been working and was due to go back on Monday. (16) She said how he had been at a party with friends that night and had "some beers and some port".

There was a gap between the drinking and the driving as Payne got a taxi from the party to a friend's house for some food.

The court heard how Payne, of Charlton Musgrove, Wincanton in Somerset, is training to be a jockey and was due to train at 6am the following morning and wanted to get back home.

Miss McGhee told the court how on the night in question the conditions were quite dry and clear and he had no passengers.

She added while the standard of driving wasn't up to scratch Payne wasn't driving fast and didn't cause an accident.

The court heard a statement from Payne in which he expressed his "sincere remorse" and that there was "no excuse for his actions".

Payne was disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined £250, and told to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.