A HOOK man is set to lose his job and home after he was caught over the drink-drive limit.

The grim consequences for Stephen Edmonds were relayed to Basingstoke magistrates by his solicitor when Edmonds appeared for sentence after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

Prosecutor Kate Prince said Edmonds had been out for a drink at a pub in Basing View on July 18.

The 43-year-old was stopped by police officers in Old Reading Road at 12.30am on July 19, and a breath test showed he was over the limit, providing a reading of 55mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Defending Edmonds, Rebecca Foulkes said the matter had taken a while to come to court because Edmonds believed medication he was taking for arthritis could have skewed the results of the breath test.

She said: “He has been taking strong medication which has corroded his stomach lining, causing reflux. There are issues where reflux can affect the reading because it includes alcohol that’s come up from the stomach rather than the lungs.”

However, she said her client had decided to plead guilty because of the cost of reports to support his case, adding: “He needs to draw a line under this case and wants to proceed to sentence. He’s aware of the consequences of that.”

Miss Foulkes said: “That evening he was invited out for a drink. He had an early start in the morning and had no intention of having a lot to drink. That’s why he took his car, something he has regretted ever since.

“He had a couple of pints and a shandy over several hours. He didn’t believe he was over the limit. It was a misjudgement on his part and he’s learned that the hard way.”

She said Edmonds is a live-in estate manager at Andwell Mill, in Andwell, Hook, and spent much of his time driving members of the family around.

She added: “This will have a catastrophic effect on him. He said he doesn’t know what he’s dreading more – coming here or telling his employer that he’s lost his licence.”

Miss Foulkes said Edmonds would lose his job and accommodation as a result of the driving disqualification.

Presiding magistrate Doctor Christopher Pankhurst banned Edmonds from driving for 12 months and fined him £110. He was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £80 court costs.