A FORMER high-flying businessman was caught drink-driving - as he drove himself to an addiction clinic.

Brian John McDermott was drinking wine in his garden when he decided to drive himself to The Priory in Marchwood.

But on his arrival staff at the centre, which specialises in mental health care, reported him to the police.

Staff said he appeared drunk after arriving at the clinic in a Volkswagen Golf.

When breathalysed by police, McDermott was more than double the drink-drive limit.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, the 59-year-old admitted drink driving and was banned for two years.

Prosecutor Ryan Seneviratne said: “When he arrived, staff were concerned about him and how he had arrived at the address.”

Mr Seneviratne added staff took the keys off him and called the police.

The court heard when breathalysed, McDermott had 90 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol.

Defending Nicola Attwood said McDermott had been a “very successful” businessman until he suffered two heart attacks while in a meeting.

She said: “He worked as a CEO for very well known companies. At one of the board meetings he had not one but two heart attacks. His appearance is of a person who looks like they have had a serious stroke.”

Ms Attwood said McDermott had spent two years in and out of hospital as a result of the heart attacks.

She added he was being supported by the charity Headway, in Totton.

Magistrates disqualified McDermott from driving for 24 months and fined him £120.

McDermott, of Turnstone Gardens, Southampton, was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and court costs of £85.