A businessman, who sponsors Birmingham City FC, was caught driving while nearly four times the alcohol limit after a heavy lunchtime drinking session with a friend.
Former Army Officer Richard Dilworth, 44, is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Zapaygo - a smartphone-based pre-order and payment platform - and their logo is currently emblazoned on the club's shirts.
Dilworth, of Home Farm, Bagshot Park, Bagshot, Surrey pleaded guilty to driving his Range Rover with 129 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath - the limit is 35 - in Upper Richmond Road, Putney on June 17.
Prosecutor Miss Caroline Mungel told Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday it was 8.45pm she police stopped Dilworth, who was an officer with the Royal Engineers from 1990 to 2000.
"There was a previous incident involving the vehicle and police smelled intoxicating liquor on the driver's breath and he failed a roadside test."
First-time offender Dilworth was seen by the probation service and their officer, Miss Jade Gale, told the court: "That day he decided to meet a friend for lunch, whose father had recently passed away.
"Mr. Dilworth's father is dying of Alzheimer's and they drank an awful lot and it was a very emotional time.
"He then decided to go back to his office and felt it was okay for him to drive and he got in the car and that's when the police noticed him swerving.
"He says it is the worst mistake of his life and he is very ashamed and remorseful.
"He works for a family business that takes care of wealthy people and deals with the commercial side and has his own investments and does charity work.
"There are no drug or alcohol issues, he says, and he does feel very disgusted by this offence.
"It is going to effect the support he gives to his father, who is a very elderly and sick man. He supports his mother as well, who is his father's carer and drives them to and from hospital appointments.
"He has two step-children, aged fifteen and seventeen years-old, and is ashamed because he wants to be a good example and father-figure and it was difficult to tell them he had been arrested and in a police cell.
"He works seventeen hours a day and he would like to lecture people about drink-driving, how it can cause death and give something back to the community."
Dilworth's lawyer Mr. Jeremy McClintock told the court: "This is a man's who's deeply remorseful. I'm yet to meet a man so chastened.
"Mr. Dilworth found himself speaking for the first time about his own father's health and several hours later made the mistake of getting into his car.
"He's at a loss to say why he did it. He'd been working long, brutal hours and had not had a break since Christmas.
"He is well-remunerated and has built a good career in the business world."
The magistrates placed Dilworth on a twelve-month community order, which includes 200 hours community service. He was disqualified from driving for 29 months and ordered to pay £85 costs, a £150 court charge and a £60 victim surcharge.
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