A window fitter who drank "one-and-a-half pints" at lunch was narrowly over the alcohol limit when questioned by police and has been banned from the road.
Lloyd Brooman, from Cliftonville, had the beers when meeting a friend, which he now recognises was "not a wise decision".
Margate magistrates heard the 43-year-old was spotted by officers in a Vauxhall on July 4 in Knockholt Road, where he lives.
Julia Farbrace, prosecuting, said: "Officers thought he may have been drink- or drug-driving and the engine was turned off.
"He was in the driver's seat and when they spoke to him they got him to do a roadside breath test, which proved positive."
Brooman was then arrested, and further tests revealed he had 43 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35.
Ms Farbrace added: "He has previous, which includes failing to comply wth a community order in April last year, which he was given for a road traffic crash.
"He's also got a previous for drink-driving, but that's well outside the 10-year period and 43 in breath is in the lowest category."
Anyone convicted of drink-driving twice in the UK within 10 years is given a minimum three-year driving ban and up to six months imprisonment, with a potentially unlimited fine.
Lainy Snook, defending, told the court her client had enjoyed lunch with a friend when he had a drink.
She added: "He now recognises this was not a wise decision and he had one-and-a-half pints at lunchtime.
"It was a mistake, and he regrets the decision. It's been 22 years since his last drink-driving [offence].
"He's a window fitter but is signed off with health issues. He's claiming PIP and Universal Credit. He has walking difficulties and wears a back brace; he's awaiting surgery."
The court heard his parents were also in ill health and that Brooman did chores for them.
Magistrates banned Brooman from driving for 12 months and fined him £162 for the offence.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £65 and £85 court costs. He will pay what he owes the court at a rate of £20 a month because he's on benefits.
If he completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.
Brooman was previously in court after crashing his van - which he blamed on becoming "confused" by the vehicle's four pedals - and fleeing the scene.
He later pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.