Judge Nkola Motata's blood alcohol level was four times over the legal limit when a blood sample was drawn from him, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court has heard, The Star reported on Thursday.

His alcohol level was 0.2g, while the legal limit is 0.05g, three-and-a-half hours after he crashed his Jaguar into the wall of a Hurlingham, Johannesburg property, an expert told the court during Wednesday's proceedings.

Professor Michael Stewart had been asked to help the prosecution determine Motata's blood alcohol level at the time of the crash.

Using a process called "back extrapolation" — based on the rate at which the body metabolises alcohol — he determined that Motata's blood alcohol level could have been between 0.23g and 0.26g at the time of the crash.

Motata's lawyer Daniel Dorfling disputed the findings. During cross-examination Stewart told him that he had not analysed the blood himself, did not know what kind of alcohol was consumed, when, over what period or if on a full or an empty stomach.

Motata crashed his Jaguar into the wall on 6 January, 2007 — allegedly while drunk.