A DRINK driver who was over double the limit was pulled over after he got in his car following an argument with his girlfriend, a court heard.

Marcel Toma, of Worcester Street, drove a Fiat Panda on Abbey Road on June 2 after drinking. He had 78 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 microgrammes. 

He was found by the police in the early hours of the morning, the court heard. He had no previous convictions. 

His solicitor Trystan Roberts said: "He had an argument with a girlfriend he was with at the time. He decided to leave the premises to get away - something he regrets."

Mr Roberts said Toma lost £800 during the police encounter, which was in a wallet containing his wages. He lost his job afterward, the court heard. 

"He wants to provide for his family," Mr Roberts said. 

The 33-year-old will have to pay £253 to the courts and received a 17-month ban from driving. 

"We have set £20 each and every month," chair of the bench Sharon Gillam said. "Obviously if you get employment you can pay it off."