A DRINK driver poured a bottle of brandy into his morning coffee before ploughing his car through a metal barrier and into a front garden.

Thevendran Kamaladas, 49, took some “bad advice” when struggling through a shift at work with a migraine.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard the father-of-three had not slept well after a series of family problems.

While working at his sister’s shop, a customer advised Kamaladas to drink some brandy with his coffee as a remedy to his lack of sleep and headache.

He proceeded to drink a whole 35cl bottle of brandy, before then getting behind the wheel of his car and attempting to drive home.

Hendrika Tatam, prosecuting, said: “The police came across a road traffic collision in Wellesley Road, Clacton, after two members of the public phoned in with reports of an incident.

“A vehicle had gone through a metal barrier and brick wall before ending up in the front garden of a property.

“The PC on the scene identified the defendant as the driver and formed the opinion he was intoxicated.”

“While in Clacton police station he made a number of significant comments, including that he was drinking and driving.

“He said he had ‘a number of family problems’ and that it was a mistake.”

Kamaladas, of Lymington Avenue, Clacton, had a reading of 126mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than three times the legal limit of 35mg.

He admitted drink driving and has a previous conviction in 2012 for failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Maya Chopra, mitigating, argued Kamaladas should be spared prison, as he is set to start a new job and move back in with his wife and children at their family home in Grays.

“I would suggest this could be dealt with a high-level community order,” she said.

She said: “Not only did he enter a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, he made significant comments to officers in custody, making full and frank admissions in interview.”

“There have been some family issues.

“He went to open his sister’s shop and was suffering from a migraine.

“He received some bad advice that some brandy in his coffee might assist.

“He thought it would perhaps not effect him as much and he was driving a short distance down the road to go to sleep.”

She added: “He did split up with his wife a year ago. His youngest daughter has her birthday on December 19, it is his greatest wish to be there for her birthday and to help arrange a party.

“This is supposed to be the first Christmas the family have spent together for several years.

“He is now back in his family home and a successful reconciliation has taken place.”

Kamaladas was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He was banned from the roads for three years.

He must complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work and was also ordered to pay £200 in costs.