DRINK-driver David Paine is desperately trying to work out what happened to him during a lost afternoon earlier this month. He knows he drank a lot of alcohol – he gave a breath test reading almost three times the limit early that evening – but he has n

DRINK-driver David Paine is desperately trying to work out what happened to him during a "lost afternoon" earlier this month.

He knows he drank a lot of alcohol - he gave a breath test reading almost three times the limit early that evening - but he has no idea where he went or what he drank that day.

Paine, who has suffered breathing difficulties since a house fire earlier this year, had earlier been spraying a car with a friend on August 6.

"This is devastating," solicitor Anita Waterman told Fenland magistrates. "He was breathing in the fumes and has lost the afternoon. He does not know what he did after he sprayed the car.

"He accepts he had a lot to drink, but does not remember where he went or what he drank."

A member of the public alerted the police after spotting Paine drive a Ford Explorer into bushes and across grass at about 7pm, said prosecutor Laura Mardell.

Police went to Paine's home in Garden Lane, Wisbech St Mary, and saw him stumble as he got out of the vehicle.

Paine, 51, admitted drink-driving. He gave a breath test reading of 92 mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, the legal limit being 35mcgs.

Mrs Waterman said Paine had been through "an awful year". He lost his job because of breathing difficulties brought on by the fire, and a driving ban would mean he could not provide transport for his disabled wife.

"He is very ashamed and remorseful," she said.

Paine was given a 24-month driving ban and fined £100. No costs were imposed, but he has to pay the £15 victim surcharge.