Drunk-driver's fear of knuckle duster attack in Worksop

Karl Alec Hughes, 29, of Cross Street, Langold, admitted driving with 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Police were called when Hughes lost control of his silver Ford Fiesta on a corner of White Avenue, in Langold, and demolished the wall on May 14. He told police he had drunk three or four pints of lager.

Mary Dixon, mitigating, said Hughes had been the victim of an assault, in October 2015, when he was beaten to the ground with a knuckle-duster and kicked in the head.

“He has avoided going out socially since that incident,” she said. “On the 14th he went out and saw the person who assaulted him.

“He went back home. He was very fearful that the person who assaulted him would follow him. He drove off in fear.”

She said Hughes was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and was likely to lose his job because no public transport was available where he lives to take him to work.

“He was kept overnight in the cells,” said Mrs Dixon. “Next morning he helped tidy up the garden on White Avenue and offered to pay for the damage.”

Hughes was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £300.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.