A motorist who crashed his car into a taxi while more than three times the drink-drive limit has been banned from the roads.

Philip Edmunds, 53, was disqualified for 25 months and made the subject of a three-month overnight curfew when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court.

He was also fined £50 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge after admitting drink-driving, driving without insurance and possession of cannabis.

Edmunds was arrested after being found staggering along the pavement in Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings, on December 7 last year.

After spending several hours in a pub drinking he had decided to drive home but crashed into a taxi on the way.

Edmunds, of Chiltern Drive, Hastings, who also had a small amount of cannabis with him, admitted he had been drinking when officers stopped him.

When tested at a police station, Edmunds had 251 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – well over the 80 milligrammes legal limit.

Edmunds is one of 114 drivers who have been convicted after being arrested as part of Sussex Police’s Christmas crack- down on drink- and drug-driving.

Superintendent Jane Derrick said: “Edmunds was in no fit state to be on the roads and could barely walk when he was arrested.

“It is horrifying that some drivers will still get into their vehicles despite know- ing they pose a danger both to themselves and to everyone else.

“Edmunds admitted he had been wrong to drink and drive but saying sorry after the event is too late – drinking and driving costs lives and is unacceptable at any time.”

People can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink- or drug-driving, along with their car make and registration number.

To report anyone driving antisocially, visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.