A DRIVER drank nine pints before getting behind the wheel after he got upset at a Christmas party.

Trainee auditor Christopher Jones was caught by officers more than two times the drink drive limit limit as he was driving his silver Ford Fiesta around Millbrook Roundabout and on to Wimpson Lane, Southampton.

The 24-year-old was arrested by police, who then tested the former grammar school pupil finding him to have 93mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 35mg of alcohol.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that the University of Sussex graduate had started drinking at around 1pm on December 23 at his works’ festive party in Bournemouth before he made the 30 mile drive to see a friend in Southampton.

A probation report compiled on Jones said: “By the evening of his party he had drunk around eight or nine pints of cider and beer as well as one alcoholic shot.

“While he was at the party he had a conversation that made him very upset and when he left the party he got a taxi home.

“But he got a call from a friend in Southampton and while he wasn’t thinking rationally and was too upset to think he got into the car and drove here.”

It added: “He appears extremely remorseful for his actions and understands the harm he could have caused to others.”

The court heard that Jones was previously of good character and currently works for a chartered accounts in Bournemouth.

Jones, of Charminster Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to driving when above the alcohol level limit.

He was given a 12-month community order which includes a requirement to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work.

Jones, who was disqualified from driving for 24 months, was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.