A man crashed into the back of a car on the M27 during Storm Bert after a night of drinking.

Gift Cleverley, also known as Junior, was driving westbound in his Ford Kuga returning home to Southampton after a night out with his friends, Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard.

The 26-year-old was over the limit on November 23 as 40mph winds hit the area with many events cancelled due to the poor weather.

Prosecuting, Kate Moore said Cleverley three vehicles crashed, forcing Cleverley and the other drivers to stop in lane one of the carriageway near Eastleigh.

Police carried out a roadside breath test and Cleverley was found to have 44 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

She said: “When he was arrested, the defendant told police he was driving behind someone on the M27 at the 50mph speed limit, and he had no time to react when they sharply braked.”

Mitigating, Khalid Missouri said his troubled upbringing in the care system led him towards crime, and it has taken a “long time to shake off this criminality”.

But he remained at the scene and admitted he had been drinking the night prior, Mr Missouri added.

He said: “Mr Cleverley felt fine the next day and he drove home.

“The car in front of him braked suddenly so it is not his fault. He did not have time to do anything about it.

“He remained at the scene and gave his details to the police and adhered to all the tests.

“He was not speeding and he was driving under the 50mph speed limit.

“He is remorseful and has accepted responsibility. Mr Cleverley has clearly had a difficult background and he has done all he can to put this difficult start in life behind him.”

Cleverley, of Oak Road, Bursledon, admitted drink driving.

Chair of the magistrates’ bench David Cully told Cleverley he had to be banned.

Cleverly was disqualified from driving for 36 months and ordered to pay a £120 fine.

He must also pay a £48 surcharge and prosecution costs of £85.