A DRINK driver caught after a crash in Poole is believed to have given police the highest alcohol in breath reading ever seen in Dorset.

Andrew Herrmann had 162 micrograms of alcohol in his breath after the afternoon collision at Holes Bay. The legal limit is 35 micrograms, meaning Herrmann, who lives in Creekmoor, was 4.6 times over the drink-drive limit.

He was narrowly spared a prison sentence at Poole Magistrates' Court after admitting drink driving and driving without appropriate insurance.

Magistrates sentenced the defendant, who is 29 and lives in Linnet Road, to 16 weeks in prison.

However, they then suspended it for a period of 12 months.

In addition, he was banned from the roads for five years and ordered to pay

Police were called to the Holes Bay roundabout at 2pm on Friday, October 18 after a crash involving a black Toyota and a black Honda.

No one was injured.

However, officers breathalysed Herrmann and discovered he was significantly over the limit.

A traffic officer told the Daily Echo: “Andrew Herrmann inexplicably got behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

"It is extremely fortunate that his selfish actions did not have more tragic consequences.

“Drink driving will not be tolerated on our roads.

"Alcohol and drugs impair many of the functions necessary for safe driving; reaction times and spatial awareness are affected significantly.

"This may still be the case the morning after, depending on how much alcohol you consumed the night before and when you stopped drinking."

Police have called for anyone who has specific information about someone who they suspect to be driving under the influence of drink or drugs, and therefore represents an immediate danger to road users, to call 999.

For non-urgent matters call 101.

A DRINK driver who had one of the highest readings ever seen in Dorset was caught behind the wheel with a child in the car.

Russell Frost was behind the wheel of a blue Vauxhall Zafira when he was stopped in Dean Park Road, Bournemouth on August 5 this year.

The 39-year-old, who lives in Brownhill Road, South East London, was discovered to have 141 micrograms of alcohol in his breath.

The limit is 35mg, meaning Frost was more than four times the limit.