A DRUNK driver who was so intoxicated he had to be helped from his car by police had only been living in England for three months.

Eduards Prikulis was pulled over by officers who found he was nearly four times over the legal limit on November 15.

The 32-year-old, who lives in the Madeira Cove Hotel in Birnbeck Road, Weston, was caught drink driving in Knightstone Road, after a member of the public alerted the police to his erratic driving.

Officers, who saw Prikulis swerving from the pavement to the middle of the road in his silver Vauxhall Astra, as well as bouncing off the kerb, said he could not get out of the vehicle when they stopped him.

They said he ‘stumbled’ and needed assistance.

Prikulis, who works at Langford mushroom farm, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges on Monday for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

Originally from Latvia, he moved to England three months ago.

Charles Hart, defending, said: “He has been driving for 16 years, with no previous convictions.

“He moved to England to find work.

“He went to Worle on the evening of November 15 to celebrate the birth of a friend’s baby, he intended to stay and cannot explain why he drove back to Weston.

“He very much regrets doing what he did.

“He will lose his job and accommodation if he gets a custodial sentence and will have to return to Latvia.”

Prikulis was given a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for one year, and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay �85 costs.

He was also disqualified from driving from 32 months.