A SOLDIER caught drink-driving could face demotion or lose his job, a court heard.

Lance Corporal Daniel Jenkins was twice the legal limit when breathalysed by police, Darlington Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Police stopped 26-year-old Jenkins, who was driving a Volkswagen Golf on Haughton Road, Darlington, after being called to a domestic disturbance in a nearby street, said David Maddison, prosecuting.

Hewas pulled over at the BP garage and tested positive for excess alcohol.

Chris Bunting, mitigating, said Jenkins, who had been in the Army for eight years, faced being demoted to private or even losing his job, because 80 per cent of his duties involved driving.

He urged magistrates to give the minimum possible driving ban and offer the drink-driving rehabilitation course to reduce the ban.

He said Jenkins had been visiting his son and a row had broken out, resulting in Jenkins deciding to leave quickly.

"A momentary lapse of judgement is going to cost him dear, " said Mr Bunting. "The repercussions for him are considerably greater than they would be for a civilian."

Magistrates banned Jenkins, of Portsmouth Road, Sunderland, from driving for 17 months and fined him £350, with a £15 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85.