A HOTEL receptionist has been banned from driving for 20 months after crashing his Mercedes into a tree whilst twice the limit.

Telmo Amaral-Fernandes, who was working at the Cottage in the Wood hotel in Malvern, lost control of his car after deciding to move it to a different car park, rolled down the embankment and crashed into a tree.

The 37-year-old of Northfield Street in Worcester had drank a ‘large’ glass of rum – around three shots – after he finished his shift at the hotel on May 8. He said he did not feel drunk and got in the car.

Collette Orton, prosecuting, said concerned staff smelt alcohol on his breath and called the police. Amaral-Fernandes told officers he had drank a glass of rose and was arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

In interview, he told police that he had the “occasional” non-alcoholic drink whilst on his shift and had drank the rum when he had finished.

Amaral-Fernandes gave a reading of 73 micogrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

David Howarth, defending, said: “He says that he was working at the hotel and his car was parked in the car park. He decided to move it to the bottom car park, lost control, and crashed.

“He accepts now that it was in a public place but did not recognise that at the time.

“He has since lost his job at the hotel.”

Chairman of the bench, Carys Clarke, offered Amaral-Fernandes the chance to reduce his ban if he attended a drink driving course.

Amaral-Fernandes was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.