A DRUNKEN man who was already disqualified from driving was caught behind the wheel at a McDonald's Drive Thru at 5am, a judge was told today.

Samuel Oviedo-Lopez was already barred from using a vehicle, but that did not stop the 25-year-old from visiting the fast food chain after a night of drinking.

However, when he pulled up to the booth to collect his order, eagle-eyed staff suspected he was drunk, and immediately called the police.

Officers followed Oviedo-Lopez’ car to Pinchington Lane in Newbury, where they ordered him to pull over.

Instead of stopping at the side of the road however, Oviedo Lopez stopped his Renault Scenic in the middle of the carriageway.

He was today set to be sentenced after admitting a string of driving offences.

“These matters relate to a single incident on October 10 last year,” said Charlotte Abbott, prosecuting at Reading Magistrates’ Court.

“The staff at McDonald's in Newbury Retail Park called police at 4.55am on that day.

“They states there was a male who was at the drive-thru who they believed was a drink driver.

“Officers attended the scene and saw the vehicle in the car park.

“After a few minutes they saw the vehicle make off on to Pinchington Lane.

“Police stopped the vehicle and spoke to a male, who was this defendant. They noted that the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road rather than pulling over."

Andrew Port, defending, said his client should be given full credit for admitting the charges against him.

He added: “It was at 5am, it was not a busy time of day.

“He has fully co-operated with the police.

“I don’t think he really understood the level of seriousness of the offence he had committed.”

Dark-haired Oviedo-Lopez, of Abbots Road, Newbury, admitted a single charge of drink driving, one count of driving while disqualified and another charge of driving without insurance.

The case was briefly adjourned for a probation report.

District Judge Edwards, sitting at Reading Magistrates’ Court today, said: “I’m sure the probation service will help when they speak to him and then speak to me.

“I’m going to release you [Oviedo-Lopez] from the dock, you must speak with the probation service.”

Oviedo-Lopez was assisted in court by an interpreter.

He will be sentenced later today.