A Somerset man who was more than three-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit when his Land Rover hit stationary traffic on the A37 at Shepton Mallet has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Simon Orchard, 50, of Great Street, Norton-sub-Hamdon, admitted driving while over the alcohol limit when he appeared before District Judge Angela Brereton at Yeovil.

The court heard police were already responding to an emergency call on the A37 on 20 March, with blue lights and sirens activated, when traffic ahead came to a stop.

Orchard failed to stop in time and collided with the rear vehicle in the queue. Officers then turned their attention to him after noticing he appeared unsteady and was slurring his speech.

He was arrested and later provided a breath reading of 126mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

District Judge Brereton said Orchard's alcohol reading was extremely high and that he had clearly not been fit to drive.

She sentenced him to ten weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and banned him from driving for 30 months. Orchard was also ordered to complete a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme and pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.