A DALTON soldier whose job requires him to drive tanks has been banned from driving after he drunkenly flipped his car on to its roof.

Jonathan Heath, of Market Street, appeared before District Judge Gerald Chalk last Wednesday at Furness Magistrates' Court accused of drink driving.

Mr Peter Kelly, prosecuting, told the court that, when driving on Kirkby Moor on September 9, the 20-year-old crashed his car, flipping it on to its roof. He was almost two times over the drink-drive limit at the time.

Mr Kelly said: "At 3am, Mr Heath had been driving his vehicle when he was involved in a single-vehicle accident. He lost control of the vehicle and it ended up on its roof.

"He contacted the police himself. The police have interviewed him and he's accepted responsibility for it.

"He said that he's been an idiot and been stupid."

Heath was breathalysed and recorded 64mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg per 100ml.

Mr Kelly explained that Heath decided to drive home to Kirkby from Ulverston after drinking between six and seven pints of cider. Heath said he had been drinking since around 9.30pm the previous evening.

A character reference was read out by his commanding officer, a second lieutenant in the King's Royal Hussars regiment.

He said: "He has given four years' service to the British Army. I've known him for three years and worked with him closely through this period. This incident is very much out of character. He is a tank driver and if he loses his licence he will no longer be involved in this role."

Heath, who was unrepresented in court, pleaded guilty to the single charge of drink-driving.

Sentencing, Judge Chalk said: "You are a man of good character but you were driving when not in a fit state to do so."

Heath was fined £300 and disqualified from driving for 17 months. He was ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and court costs of £85.