A lorry driver has been banned from the roads after a police tractor caught him swerving on the A47 while being three times over the drink-drive limit.

Liam Stapleton, aged 30, and of Darris Close, Hayes, appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on June 4 and pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Stapleton was stopped by police during Operation Tramline on April 25.

Liam Stapleton, aged 30, and of Darris Close, Hayes was arrested on suspicion of driving an HGV whilst under the influence of alcoholLiam Stapleton, aged 30, and of Darris Close, Hayes, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Norwich Magistrates' Court (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The operation, which was supported by National Highways, provided officers with an HGV tractor to carry out patrols across the county’s roads to crack down on offences committed by lorry drivers.

Shortly after 11am, officers noticed Stapleton swerving between lanes and driving poorly on the A47 heading towards Little Melton.

He was stopped by police on Watton Road and arrested on suspicion of drink driving after providing a roadside breath sample of 115 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Stapleton was then taken to Wymondham police station for questioning and was later charged with drink driving having provided an evidential breath sample of 104 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.

Officers spotted Stapleton swerving between lanes and driving poorly on the A47Officers spotted Stapleton swerving between lanes and driving poorly on the A47 (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

In court, he was disqualified from driving for 25 months and ordered to pay a £200 fine, £85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80.

Arresting officer PC Craig Scott said: “Stapleton put Norfolk’s road users at serious risk by choosing to drive his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

"He could have caused catastrophic harm to both himself and those travelling around him.

“There is never an excuse for drink driving, it is unacceptable and we will continue to work to ensure that those choosing to do so will be prosecuted.”