A MAN who drank a bottle of vodka to numb tooth pain was caught drink driving while more than twice over the legal limit.

Mark Miller, 53, of Harlech, Gwynedd, pleaded guilty to driving his Vauxhall Corse on the A465 at Clehonger on July 29.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday said that police were called at 11.40pm after other car drivers contacted police suspecting that he was drink driving.

Mr Jones said: "He didn't maintain a consistent line and his speed was irrational.

"Police were dispatched and found Miller pulling out just after just being stopped by another motorist in the carriageway.

"Miller found it quite difficult to answer the officer's questions as his speech was slurred and there was an overwhelming smell of alcohol.

"In response the defendant said that he had drank two pints."

When tested Miller blew 94 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, the limit is 35.

He had also previously been banned for drink driving in 2007.

George Cousins, mitigating, said that Miller was working in the local area and was suffering from tooth pain leading to him drinking the alcohol.

"He tried the old fashioned method of alcohol," said Mr Cousins.

"Miller drank quite a bit before sleeping in his vehicle. He woke up thinking it was morning and that it would be okay to drive.

"He has lost his job as a delivery driver because of this disqualification and his wife has removed him from their home."

Jessica Dodd, probation officer, said that the father of two had drank a bottle of vodka before sleeping for a couple of hours.

"He attempted to drive to Belmont where he was staying and regrets his dangerous actions," said Miss Dodd.

"In hindsight he admits that he should have returned to where he was staying before drinking."

Magistrates disqualified Miller from driving for 36 months which could be reduced by nine months on completion of a drink driving course.

He was also ordered to complete a 12 months community order including a driving programme and 100 hours unpaid work.

Miller was also ordered to pay £135 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.