A professional boxer’s career is in jeopardy just because he fancied a McDonald's and got behind the wheel of his car while more than twice over the drink-drive limit, a court heard on Wednesday.

Ali Deane-Christie, 28, of Hillcrest Road, Cainscross, Stroud, pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court to driving with excess alcohol on his breath on March 24th.

He was found to have 78 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms, the court was told.

Said prosecuting lawyer Peter Ashby: “At around 7am the defendant went to the McDonald's Drive-Thru takeaway in Merrywalks, Stroud.

“A staff member believed that he was drunk and the police were called.

“When officers arrived he told them that he had had a birthday party the previous night and had been drinking vodka until 3am.”

Said defending lawyer Lee Mott: “My client has a lamentable tale to tell as he rarely drinks at all.

“He is a professional boxer and also trains young children in the sport.”

The court heard that if he lost his licence he would be unable to get to his gym, which is ten miles way, to train and his career would be in jeopardy.

“He bitterly regrets his actions as it could have a severe handicap to his career.”

Magistrates banned him from driving for 19 months, fined him £250 and ordered him to pay £85 prosecution costs.