Other motorists’ concerns at the way he was driving led to reports to the police and then an appearance before Truro magistrates for a retired accountant.

Anthony Christopher Farrow, aged 63, of Tregonhayne Court, Tregony, pleaded guilty to drink driving on September 7 at Carnon Downs.

Alison May, for the CPS, said police were following his car from Falmouth after being notified about his driving, and saw him trying to drive along the bus lane on the Carnon Downs bypass.

When stopped by them, he was very unsteady on his feet, smelling of alcohol, and failed their roadside breath test. He later tested at 90 mcg, nearly three times the drink drive limit. He had a previous conviction for a similar offence in 1997 and a conviction in 2001 for attempting to drive while unfit through drink or drugs.

His solicitor Robert Warner said he was very remorseful for what he did and very distressed at the thought of the risk he may have put other people in.

He had worked as an accountant in Guernsey until he was made redundant earlier this year, when he moved to Cornwall where he had friends to support him.

Farrow was fined £1,000 and £185 costs and surcharge and banned from driving for 24 months.