A respected Croydon businessman who was awarded an MBE this January has been found guilty of driving at more than twice the legal alcohol limit.
Balraj Tandon, 59, was arrested at his home on January 31 upon returning from an alcohol run to the local off-licence, according to a court report published in the Daily Mail.
The Garage tycoon is said to have triggered his own burglar alarm by mistake, prompting officers to visit his property.
On their arrival he was reportedly so drunk he fell backwards onto the boot of his car, stumbling towards his house.
In his defence, he said he had spent the day drinking alone after hearing his sister's throat cancer had worsened.
Tandon was fined £200, with £85 costs, a £30 victim surcharge and disqualified for 12 months.
The £200m business owner apologised for his actions to a packed court.
He was awarded an MBE this January in recognition of his services to business and the south London community, upon hearing news of which he "burst into tears."
After emigrating the UK from Uganda with his family in 1975, he set up a petrol business which quickly expanded to become one of the largest in the UK.
The father of four is also a trustee of two local charities.
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