asked a magistrate to be lenient on him because of strained family obligations.

And yesterday Yusef Williams, 30, of 17 Rambling Lane, was fined $750 and disqualified from driving all vehicles for 12 months, when he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on June 16.

Crown counsel Oonagh Goodred told the court that Police were on patrol along Middle Road in Smiths Parish when they observed Williams driving a motor car.

They followed the vehicle travelling west and watched as the vehicle mounted the sidewalk and veered into the oncoming lane several times.

Police subsequently stopped the vehicle and questioned the driver.

When asked if he had been drinking Williams replied: "I'm not drunk.'' Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King heard that Williams had slurred speech and glazed eyes.

Williams was arrested and taken to Hamilton Police station where he was cautioned.

He submitted to a breath test and was found to have 301 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

In his defence, Williams told the court that he was under financial strain paying child support for his four children and asked Mr. King to be merciful in his sentencing.

"I'm the sole bread winner in my house,'' Williams said. "Life ain't easy and all I do is work, work, work to pay them money.

"You can take me off the road for the rest of my life, but please fine me as little as possible.'' Mr. King replied: "Well, I fine you $750 and disqualify you from driving all classes of vehicles for 12 months, as the law says and what I must do.''