A Stoke Gifford man nearly crashed his car into a child after bingeing on rum and Coke.
Richard Humphreys, of New Road, claims he took a faulty home breath test before getting behind the wheel while more than three times the alcohol limit.
The 64-year-old ploughed into bollards, another car and a brick wall on Ratcliffe Drive — as well as narrowly missing a child, Bristol Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday (June 3).
Humphreys, who has no previous convictions, entered the dock carrying a black briefcase. Wearing a turquoise shirt and a navy jacket, he pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Prosecutor Caitlin Brown said: "At 6.43pm on April 3, police received a call from a member of the public who had witnessed a male crash his car into metal bollards in a car park.
"The witness reported the driver was intoxicated and unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol. He had almost hit a child with his vehicle before hitting the bollards.
Get the biggest stories straight to your inbox.
"As members of the public tried to engage with him, he reversed into a car behind him, hitting the front bumper. The driver of this car later provided a statement to police but there was no obvious damage to the vehicle.
"Mr Humphreys allowed his car to roll forward, hitting a brick wall. On request he handed his keys to another witness."
The defendant was taken to Patchway police station, where he blew 118mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Ms Brown continued: "He admitted he had been drinking rum and Coke in his home address that day."
Humphreys had been driving to "get some more Coke" when he "hit the accelerator instead of the brake" and crashed into the bollards.
Mark McDonald-Loncke, mitigating, said: "This offence is out of character. It is an isolated incident.
"He effectively based his movements, in terms of driving, on a meter reading on a device he possesses. This reading was incorrect, hence we are where we are. He regrets this wholeheartedly.
"There is a child involved, and though Mr Humphreys can't recall this, he expresses his sincere remorse and regret."
Presiding Justice Sharon Foster imposed a 28-month driving ban, which will be cut by 28 weeks if Humphreys passes a driving rehabilitation course.
Humphreys must also pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £95 victim services surcharge. He must serve a six-week curfew and complete 15 rehab activity days.
