A disabled 64-year-old who drove while nearly three times the legal drink drive limit was spared jail.David John Hofgartner took his wife's red Ford Mondeo for a drive without her permission on Boxing Day despite having no licence or insurance.

A disabled 64-year-old who drove while nearly three times the legal drink drive limit was spared jail.

David John Hofgartner took his wife's red Ford Mondeo for a drive without her permission on Boxing Day despite having no licence or insurance.

When he was pulled over by police they found he had a blood alcohol level of 96mg - 2.7 times the legal limit.

Hofgartner, of Forster Way, Aylsham, needs two sticks to walk and has a steel plate holding his leg together after an industrial accident in 1998 and subsequent injuries and illnesses.

He pleaded guilty at Cromer Magistrates' Court on January 23 to taking a car without consent, driving without a licence, driving while drunk and driving without insurance.

Last Thursday he was given a total of 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for three years.

He was also ordered to pay �60 costs and will be required to attend the Drink Impairment Drivers Programme as part of 12 months supervision.