A drink-driving student was pulled over by a police officer after "swerving" across lanes on a County Durham road.
Alexander Comaish was found to be over the alcohol limit while behind the wheel of a red Hyundai in Stockton.
The 22-year-old waiter "crossed over the lines" and "kept looking back" at the police officer as he followed him on the Durham Road bypass.
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Comaish, of Claypath, Durham, appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday to face one charge.
The university student, who was driven to court by his mum, admitted drink driving on Darlington Lane, Stockton, on November 13.
Prosecutor Rachel Butt told how it was just before 10pm when a police officer was driving along Prince Street, Stockton, and spotted the red Hyundai.
The vehicle "crossed over the white lines separating the lanes" and had a male driver and passenger.
The police officer followed Comaish onto Durham Road bypass and outlined how the males "kept looking back at him".
Ms Butt added that Comaish was "swerving across the white lines".
The Middlesbrough court heard how Comaish was stopped and the officer approached the car.
Comaish "smelt of alcohol" and he provided a positive roadside breath test.
He was taken to custody and provided a reading of 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Ms Butt added that Comaish "loses his good character" after attending court with no previous convictions.
She told magistrates that one of the "aggravating features" of the offence was Comaish's "manner of driving".
Comaish, who was unrepresented and supported by his mother in the public gallery, said: "I want to apologise for what I see as a bad error in judgement.
"This has not been a particularly enjoyable experience."
He told how his mum has driven to Teesside to collect his car and apologised for his actions.
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Comaish said he works as a waiter and kitchen assistant in a deli restaurant over the Christmas period.
Before passing sentence, the chair of the magistrates' bench said: "You have pleaded guilty to the drink driving offence and we are going to deal with you as follows.
"Because of the level of alcohol in breath that puts you in a higher bracket.
"We are going to fine you because we acknowledge that when you go back to university your income will drop.
"We are going to fine you as if you were on benefits - and give you the benefit of the doubt."
Comaish was handed a £239 fine, including £85 costs and £34 surcharge.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.
