AN Army Corporal found asleep in his car whilst drunk convinced magistrates he should keep his licence due to his important role in the armed forces.

The court heard Sam Rugen has a "huge role" in helping to train Ukrainian troops at Bovington Camp and that keeping his licence was vital for this training.

In 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Dorset training facility with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

At the time, approximately 80 Ukrainians were being trained in Dorset to fight against Russia.

READ MORE: Why Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went to Lulworth Camp

Rugen, 21, pleaded guilty at Weymouth Magistrates Court to being in charge of a vehicle whilst unfit through drink.

The charge states that on September 22, Rugen, was in charge of a vehicle on the A352 Wareham Road in Galton whilst unfit to drive through drink.

Laura Lohk, prosecuting, said: “Police received a report of a car parked on the side of a main road.

“The driver was asleep with the ignition on.

“An officer on patrol saw the vehicle – a Vauxhall Astra – pulled over with hazard lights on, the offside front tyre was completely blown.

“The officer knocked on the window and woke Rugen up, his keys were in the ignition and the engine was running.

“The officer asked questions and the defendant’s memory was vague and he was slurring his words.

“He did a roadside breath test and blew positive for alcohol.

“He was taken to Weymouth Custody where the alcohol in his breath was 62 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath.”

The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Kenny Sharpe, mitigating, said: “He made full admissions to police.

“The defendant is a member of the armed forces and is accompanied by Major Mansel.

“He is a corporal of a small regiment based in Bovington.

“One of his roles is a vehicle commander which is a very important role.

“He sees active operational duty.

“He has not long returned from Poland, where he was supporting front line border troops and he will be redeployed to the Balkans in April.

“Whilst based at home he has a huge role in training Ukrainian troops.

“His licence is absolutely crucial to his massively important role and he will not easily be replaced within such a small regiment.

“Were he to be disqualified, it is not just him who will suffer.

“He will lose rank and will lose out on money for around two years but his regiment would also struggle to replace his highly-skilled role.

“His service record will be affected by this.

“Major Mansel said he is an accomplished commander and that Corporal Rugen is a role model for his subordinates.”

Rugen, of Swanton Morley in Norfolk, was fined £576 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £230 and court costs of £85.

He was given 10 points on his driving licence.

David Ruston, chair of the Magistrates’ bench told the defendant: “We have considered disqualification but have taken into account what we have heard from Major Mansel.

“In other circumstances, you could have faced a different outcome.

“It is important you learn from this.

“Any further conviction could be very serious.”