A rejected lover who drowned his sorrows in beer and then drove while four-and-a-half times over the legal limit was spared a jail sentence at Sutton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 16, because prison might “kill him”.

The court heard Colin Boucher, 48, of Pankhurst Road, Walton, was spotted by a policeman, just before midnight on Saturday, May 15, shouting abuse at a woman from his large goods vehicle in the Sainsbury’s car park in North Cheam.

As the policeman tried to flag down Boucher, his vehicle nearly hit a kerb and, according to the officer, when he got out of the vehicle he was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.

The former joiner told the officer he had consumed five pints of lager, but his breathalyser reading of 157mg per 100ml of breath was more than four times the legal 35mg limit.

The court heard Boucher and his partner had driven to Sainsbury’s earlier that night, before walking to a nearby pub, where they got into an argument.

According to James Nicholson, defending Boucher, the two of them had been drinking heavily and began to row after the defendant’s girlfriend turned down a marriage proposal.

Boucher then threatened to get himself arrested after his girlfriend dared him to drive home.

Prosecutor Alison Lockheart told the court Mr Boucher had been an alcoholic for more than 25 years and a prison term and the sudden withdrawal of alcohol from his system could kill him.

Magistrate Jenny Kreser said: “You have to understand this was one of the highest readings this court has seen. Right at the top of the scale for sentencing.

“The appropriate sentence would be a period of immediate custody.

"But I am prepared to suspend it on the condition that you do not commit another offence for two years."

Boucher was handed an eight-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, and was given a curfew to remain at home between 7pm and 1am each night.

He must wear an electronic tag and will serve his suspended sentence if he breaks his curfew.

As he stood in the dock, Boucher told the magistrates: “I am sorry to cause all this trouble, I really am. Thank you for being so lenient.”