Drink driver crashed car in Child Okeford after visiting pub

Richard Holman, 48, wrote off his car in the crash and subsequently lost his job, a court heard.

Holman, of Shaftesbury Road in Child Okeford near Blandford, pleaded guilty at Weymouth Magistrates' Court to driving a vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit.

The charge refers to an incident on Wednesday, June 5, on Duck Street in Child Okeford.

Siobhan Oxley, prosecuting, said: "At 6pm the car which the defendant was driving collided with a dry stone wall and was left hanging over the carriageway.

"A member of the public came across the vehicle whilst crossing the road.

"They concluded that the defendant was under the influence.

"They saw the defendant get back into his car and tried to turn the engine back on twice, but mechanical damage prevented the car from moving any further.

"She told Holman 'you can't start that car again' and took the keys from him.

"Police arrived and carried out a breath test.

"He cooperated with police and gave two specimens of breath."

Holman was found to have 133 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly four times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

Simon Lacey, mitigating, said: "He lives in Child Okeford where he is renting.

"When the crash happened he was working in a local pub.

"He chose to go to the pub for social drinks when he was not working - when he does this he normally walks home.

"On this occasion he chose to drive, he doesn't know why he did that.

"He crashed the car and he is incredibly lucky no one was hurt, including himself.

"His £2,000 car was written off and he subsequently lost his job at the pub.

"He feels very regretful, the thought that he could have endangered people he thinks is abhorrent.

"He has not had a drink since the crash."

The case was adjourned until a hearing at Weymouth Magistrates' Court on September 25 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

The defendant was released on unconditional bail.