A Devonshire man was banned from the road for drinking and driving, despite his plea that it would cost him his job.

Vincent Darrell, 36, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to driving while over the legal blood/alcohol limit in an incident on December 21.

The court heard that at around 9.30pm that evening, police were doing licence checks at the junction of Parson’s Lane and Old Military Road when Darrell was stopped.

During the subsequent conversation, an officer noticed that Darrell’s breath smelled strongly of intoxicants.

Asked if he had been drinking, Darrell said that he had just come from a Christmas party where he had enjoyed a few drinks.

He was then taken to Hamilton Police Station, where a breath test revealed he had 230mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, more than triple the legal limit of 80mg.

Appearing in court, Darrell pled guilty to driving while over the limit, but denied being impaired.

While he said he understands he made the wrong decision, he asked if he could keep his truck licence so that he could continue to work.

“If I lose my truck licence, I cannot provide for my family and I lose my job,” he said.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner however said that it was not in his discretion to do so.

“I understand your predicament, that you drive for a living and of course you will be severely effected if you are disqualified,” Mr Warner said.

“However, the Supreme Court which supersedes this court has confirmed that the court had no discretion. I must disqualify you.”

Mr Warner disqualified Darrell from driving all vehicles for one year in addition to fining the defendant $800.