A MOTORIST has denied a charge that he was driving along the A27 while five times over the legal limit.

Police allege that Andrzej Marciniak, a builder, of Lampert Place, Lewes, was spotted swerving as he headed along the A27 on his way back from Brighton.

The 52-year-old was later stopped by police when they found him in his vehicle in Lampert Place.

Police allege a fellow driver called them at about 11.20am to report a car swerving across lanes of traffic on the A27 between Brighton and Lewes on Thursday, January 12.

Officers claim Marciniak's vehicle was seen travelling through Lewes town centre before it was located by officers in Lampert Place.

Marciniak is accused of driving while intoxicated at a level of 159 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Marciniak denied drink driving at Brighton Magistrates' Court and was sent for trial at crown court.

He was told that if he does not attend crown court on the set date, the trial would likely continue in his absence and that he should arrange to speak with his solicitor as soon as possible.

The trial will be at Lewes Crown Court on April 4.

In England and Wales the alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine.

In most other European countries, the limit is less, usually 50 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood.

Anyone caught over the legal alcohol limit when driving faces a ban of at least 12 months, and fines of up to £5,000.

You can also be given between three to 11 penalty driving points. And you could be sent to prison for up to six months. Imprisonment, the period of disqualification, size of fine and penalty points depend on the seriousness of the offence.

If you are caught drink driving more than once in a 10 year period, you’ll be banned for at least three years.