A PART-time house husband', as described by his defence counsel, was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £200 when he drove over the limit in East Sheen.

Edward Maloney, of Sunbury Avenue, Sheen, drove his Mercedes whilst drunk on Upper Richmond Road (West).

The prosecutor told the court: "At around 8.50pm, Maloney was seen to be driving in East Sheen. Officers saw him turning into Gilpin Avenue and crashing into a bollard. A witness passed his details onto police who attended his home address.

"They arrived at his home address and administered a road-side test, which he failed."The 40-year-old was taken to a police station where further samples of breath were taken, the lowest reading of which was 62 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Maloney's defence representative said in mitigation: "He did attempt to contact the police when he arrived home, however, the officers arrived 20minutes later. He will be deeply affected by a lengthy ban he is a part-time house husband."

The self-employed gardener will pay additional costs of £55.