An Eastville man caught drink-driving claims he was fleeing a nightclub attack at the time.
Tajinder Sahota, of Stapleton Road, was stopped by police in Queen Charlotte Street in the early hours of February 21.
The 25-year-old University of the West of England student admitted drink-driving when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on March 10.
Prosecutor Jeremy Oliver told the court: “In the early hours of February 21, police saw his vehicle doing a 'wheel spin' whilst driving erratically.
"He was followed by the police on Queen Charlotte Street before being pulled over.”
He said Sahota admitted he had been drinking before driving his black E-Class Mercedes.
When he was stopped and breathalysed, he gave a recording of 90 mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35mcg.
Farah Rashid, mitigating, said: “Mr Sahota voluntarily admitted to the police he had been drinking in a nightclub.
“He decided to step outside for a cigarette but was immediately set upon by individuals and he panicked got in his car and drove down the street.”
She further told the court the UWE student, who lives with his grandparents, had hoped to get a summer job to help pay off his £9,000 tuition loans.
Presiding Justice Dr Giles Brown said: “We note that it was a very poor decision made on the night and given the level of intoxication, a community order of 12 months and 40 hours of unpaid work in the community is warranted."
Dr Brown ordered him to pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs, totalling £175.
He was also given a driving disqualification of 23 months.
