A SERIAL drink-driver caught driving at more than four times the legal limit has been jailed.

Mark Howlett bemoaned "Why didn't I catch the train?” as he was driven to the police station.

He was arrested shortly after 5.30pm on June 28 after a taxi driver spotted him driving erratically in Hastings Road, Battle.

The 37-year-old, of Flimwell Close, St Leonards, ran off after the driver stopped his Vauxhall Astra and took his keys out of the ignition.

But he was detained by officers nearby and blew 142mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, more than four times the legal limit of 35mcg.

Unemployed Howlett pleaded guilty to drink-driving at Hastings Magistrates' Court on Tuesday August 2.

It marked his fourth conviction for the offence in 12 years.

He was jailed for 16 weeks, banned from driving for 50-months and ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.