A "panicked" car salesman was three-times over the limit when he rushed to help his girlfriend after her drink was "spiked" on a night out.
Thomas Edwards was drinking vodka at home when he got a call from his partner saying she felt unwell and believed she had been spiked.
The 30-year-old jumped in his Skoda and drove to meet his girlfriend but was pulled over by police in Worcester city centre on January 8.
But a roadside breath test taken by police showed he had 105mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath - three times over the legal limit of 35mcg.
And a later reading at the police station showed he had 100mcg in 100ml of breath.
Edwards, of Worcester, West Midlands, admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared at the city's magistrates' court.
The court heard Edwards, who had no relevant previous convictions, had lost his job at a car showroom as a result of the case.
Jason Patel, defending, said: "On the evening in question he had been drinking alcohol at home and had no intention of going out.
"His partner had gone out with friends for a meal and had not drunk excessively.
"However, she became unwell. It was suspected she had been spiked.
"A friend called Mr Edwards and asked him to come and collect her.
"There was no suggestion of anything untoward in the manner of the driving.
"Following the incident he has come straight into his employer where he works in car sales.
"Unfortunately they have let him go instantly. He accepts he has an issue with alcohol."
A probation officer, who interviewed Edwards, said he "went into panic mode after continual calls from a friend" about his partner.
The officer said: "He straight away went to pick her up. She was, as he puts it, 'in a state' and the plan was to get her home.
"It was a snap wrong decision. He did not know of any other options at the time.
"He's now unemployed and is concerned about getting employment in regard to being able to pay the mortgage in future."
Edwards was given a 12 month community order to include six months of alcohol treatment, 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was also ordered to pay court costs totalling £230 and banned from driving for two years.
