DETECTIVES have told a drunk driver to use his road ban to “consider his actions” after he was filmed swerving down a dual carriageway then going through a red light.

Robert Cox, 55, who was found to have wet himself when he was pulled from his lorry, had driven Mercedes HGV cab for up to 20 miles down the A41 then A34 before he came to a halt.

Cox, of Horton, near Leighton Buzzard, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court last month to dangerous driving and driving while over the drink drive limit. He had two previous convictions from the 1980s for unrelated matters.

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Judge Michael Gledhill KC sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years.

Cox was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work, wear an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag for 120 days and was banned from driving for three years.

He must pass an extended test before he can drive again and was ordered to pay £185 in prosecution costs.

Following the sentencing, Thames Valley Police investigators have released a statement warning other users about the dangers of drink-driving.

Investigating officer Sergeant Mark Scully, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, based at Bicester police station, said: “Impaired driving is one of the ‘fatal four’ – the four contributory factors that are likely to result in a fatal collision.

“I am pleased to see that Robert Cox has received three year’s disqualification for this offence, which is time enough to consider his actions.

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“We’d like to thank the members of the public that reported this incident, and remind the public that drink-driving is not acceptable and although we cannot be everywhere at all times, we can be anywhere at any time.

“Please report suspected intoxicated drivers to us by calling 999, and if you know of a regular drink-driver, please report this information to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”

During the 25-minute escapade on the afternoon of January 8, the lorry also hit dangerously low speeds down the A34.

He slowed to 10mph and at one stage even stepped on the dual carriageway.

At another point, he drifted onto the verge – throwing mud behind him.

The lorry came off the main road at the Botley interchange then went through a red light at the roundabout, although miraculously struck no car coming in the other direction. Cox then rejoined the A34.

When he was stopped, a breathalyser test showed he was more than three-times the legal drink drive limit. He had 106mcgs of alcohol in 100ml of breath, where the legal limit is 35.