AN alcoholic postmaster whose Land Rover crashed into a ditch was still over the drink-drive limit 17 hours after the accident, a court heard.

Inderjit Ojalae had to be taken to hospital following the smash near Throckmorton, delaying police who wanted a sample of his blood.

The father-of-three was suffering from diabetes, depression and paranoia, Worcester magistrates were told.

The 34-year-old, who manages Pinvin Post Office Stores, near Pershore with his wife, was found to have 96mg of alcohol in his bloodstream 17 hours after the incident.

The legal limit is 80mg.

Mark Soper, prosecuting said Ojalae's diabetes might have had some effect on events.

"He had 96mg of alcohol in his blood and was unable to remember anything about the accident," he said.

Mr Soper said it was likely the level of alcohol in Ojalae's blood was a lot higher when the accident took place at 7am on Friday, November 30 last year.

Louise Hooker, defending said Mr Ojalae, who has managed the post office for four years, was a man of poor health.

"He has recorded events to me as hallucinations," she said.

Long-standing alcoholic

"He is also a man who is a long-standing alchoholic. He's under the assistance of a psychiatrist.

"She says he's been depressed and he's on anti-depressants. He was suffering from paranoia and hallucinations the last time she saw him."

Miss Hooker said Ojalae, of Pershore Terrace earned £17,000 a year.

"He has three children aged 10, nine and seven and he has to support them," she said.

Ojalae admitted driving with excess alcohol and not driving in accordance with his licence.

For the excess alcohol charge he was fined £400, banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £55 costs.

Ojalae was fined £50 for driving not in accordance with his licence and his licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

"Sub-post masters are required to inform the post office of any criminal convictions they may acquire,"said a spokesman for Post Office Ltd after yesterday's hearing.

"At present we have yet to receive any information from Mr Ojalae and we are unable to comment further."