A FATHER caught driving at three times the alcohol limit has blamed the stress of an ongoing custody battle for his children for his decision to get behind the wheel drunk.

John Lovell, aged 24, was stopped by police driving a Ford Transit van in Winterstoke Road at 12.30am on April 15.

Appearing to have glazed and bloodshot eyes, officers breathalysed the Locking Road resident and found him to have 104mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The drink drive limit is 35 mg.

At North Somerset Courthouse on Monday, Lovell pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving.

In mitigation, Ian Parker, representing Lovell, said he had been going through a ‘difficult time’ following the break-up of a relationship.

This included a custody battle with his former partner for his two children, aged three and 18 months.

Mr Parker said: “Things have got too much for him on occasions and he has turned to drink, this time was one of them.

“He regrets what he has done and fears what impact a sentence may have on his life.”

Magistrates banned Lovell from driving for 26 months and ordered him to pay �85 in court costs.