A FATHER-of-three, a private in the Army and a waiter have all appeared in court charged with drink driving over Christmas.

Justin Baxter, of Penn Hill Avenue in Poole, was arrested after he drank two glasses of wine while writing his Christmas cards on December 19.

He had been sitting at the Olive Branch in Wimborne before driving his Volkswagen along Wimborne Road in Corfe Mullen, where he was stopped by police officers.

At Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court, the self-employed businessman admitted drink driving and was banned from driving for 12 months. He had an alcohol level of 53 – the limit is 35.

The court heard that the 43-year-old’s fledgling business could be in “jeopardy” following his conviction.

Jonathan Morrissey, mitigating, said: “This is not an individual who is likely to appear in court again.”

Baxter is the father of three children aged 11, 12 and 16, who live with their mother in Plymouth.

Mr Morrissey said he would be unable to pick them up for weekend visits because of his disqualification.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult or it’s going to cease altogether,” he said.

“His business life is also in a substantial amount of jeopardy.”

Baxter was ordered to pay £305 in fines at the court.

Twenty-year-old serving soldier Reuben Merlin Iles, of Spalding in Lincolnshire, appeared at the court on the same day.

He admitted drinking before driving his Alfa Romeo along the Wessex Way on December 4 last year.

Representing himself in court, Iles apologised to magistrates for his behaviour, adding: “There’s no reason why I did it.

“It’s not in my nature to do anything like that and I’m sorry for doing it.”

Alison Saunders, prosecuting, said police officers arrested Iles after town centre CCTV cameras picked him up pulling into the path of oncoming traffic.

“Police officers attended, and he was on the Wessex Way travelling in the direction of Asda,” she said.

“He then went back on himself after going around St Paul’s roundabout, and he was snaking in the road.

“He suddenly reduced his speed to 30mph, despite his being the only vehicle on the road.”

Iles was fined £371 at the court, and was disqualified for 16 months. His alcohol level was 60.