A MAN who admitted being more than four times the drink drive limit has narrowly avoided going to jail.

Jurijs Curakovs admitted to police he had been drink driving after officers were called to row between him and his partner at Tesco in Evesham.

Robert Whitehouse, prosecuting, said: "Members of staff intervened and it was Curakovs' partner who disclosed he had been drinking, and drove the family.

"Curakovs confirmed to the officer that he had been drinking earlier in the day, and then drove the family to Tesco's to do some shopping."

The officer could smell alcohol so a roadside breath test was taken, which the 31-year-old from Wood End, Evesham, failed.

After being taken to the police station a test revealed he had 142 mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit being 35mg.

Mr Whitehouse said: "In interview he told police that he knew it was an offence.

"He said 'it is dangerous'."

Mr Whitehouse added that magistrates would be aware this is the highest bracket for a drink driving offence, that could bring with it a 12 week jail sentence.

Defending, Will Harrison said: "Full credit should be given for his guilty plea.

"He accepts he had been drinking because he had some bad news due to his health.

"This is a man that has never been in trouble before."

Magistrates gave Curakovs a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 30 months, but was offered the drink drive awareness course which if he successfully completes will reduce the ban by 30 weeks.

Curakovs, who is originally from Russia, was also fined £115 and ordered to pay costs of £135 - a total of £250, which is to be paid in full with 28 days.