A drink-driver tried to claim a lookalike had taken his car out in the early hours of the morning.

Sylvester Caulker lied to police that a friend who looked like him had gone out in his car after he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in St Leonards.

The 44-year-old's Fiat Barchetta was reported as being driven erratically in London Road and when officers went to the scene they traced the vehicle to Caulker's home in Magdalene Road, St Leonards.

Police found Caulker hiding behind a door in his home at 3.50am on December 24. He was more than twice the drink-drive limit and had only an expired provisional licence.

In interview he denied having driven the car and said he had been drinking at home while a friend who looked like him had gone out in the vehicle.

But he later contacted police to retract his story and admit that he had been the one behind the wheel.

Caulker, of Magdalene Road, St Leonards, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving without a licence when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates' Court on 18 March.

He was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £110 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas, of Surrey and Sussex roads policing unit, said: "Caulker tried to lie his way out of trouble but could not get away from being convicted.

"Caulker did not even have a licence to drive so should not have been on the road on his own in any circumstances, never mind when he was well over the limit.

"We will not tolerate drink-driving. If you see someone driving who you think is over the limit, tell us urgently so that we can take action."

A total of 103 motorists have now been convicted of offences after being arrested as part of Operation Dragonfly, Sussex Police's December crackdown on drink and drug-driving.

Jack White, 20, was arrested after he crashed his Ford Fiesta into a 4x4 in Crossways Avenue, East Grinstead, at about 2am on 1 January.

The 20-year-old abandoned his car after the crash and went home where police found him. He was more than twice the drink-drive limit.

White, of Gardenwood Road, East Grinstead, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop after an accident when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on 11 March.

He was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £330 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Tony Graham, 48, was arrested at 2.30am on 20 December in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, after he crashed his car into parked vehicles.

Graham, of Ninfield Place, Brighton, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 23 March.

He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £150 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.