Governor Sir John Vereker is going to be without a driver for the next 12 months, Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said yesterday as he revoked the driving licence of the Bermuda Regiment soldier who crashed the Governor?s car last month.

Robert Ricketts, 40, admitted in Magistrates? Court that shortly after 5 a.m. on November 22, he was driving the Governor?s official car down Middle Road, Paget when he collided with the concrete pillar at the junction of White Sands Road.

Ricketts told Police at the time that he had probably fallen asleep at the wheel. But when he was taken to Hamilton Police Station, the defendant?s blood alcohol level was found to be above the legal limit, said Crown counsel Graveney Bannister.

?Ricketts then admitted that he had four or five drinks that night,? said Mr. Bannister.

In addition to his driving suspension, Ricketts also received a $1,000 fine.

Bermuda Regiment spokesman Capt. Wayne Smith said Ricketts had already been ?dealt with internally?.

Capt. Smith said Ricketts remained a non-commissioned offier.

?It was a very unfortunate event,? he said. ?But the Commanding Officer has dealt with the matter himself.?