Notts man crashed girlfriend's car into historic wall after Newcastle Brown Ale binge

Mark Lee Richardson, 31, of Laurel Avenue, admitted drink driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving without third party insurance at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.

Lee Shepherd, prosecuting, said Richardson took his partner’s car at 10pm on Saturday, June 4, after drinking earlier in the day, when he only had a provisional driving licence.

“It was driven into a wall on Bishop’s Walk in Church Warsop,” said Mr Shepherd. “Prior to that he overtook a vehicle at speed in a 30mph zone.”

The court heard the damage to the perimeter wall of the building was estimated at £4,000, based on a similar previous accident.

A breath test showed he had 89 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

James Whyley, mitigating, said: “He is terrified to be sat before you today. His remorse is genuine. He panicked and ran off but then returned.

“His first words to the police were - ‘Yes. I take full responsibilty.’

“He decided to go for a drive, but why, I do not know.”

The court heard Richardson was a painter and decorator who had the support of his employers.

Cheryl Nisbet, for the probation service, said: “He can’t give an explanation as to why he went driving, particularly with eight bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale inside him.

“Hopefully this incident will be an isolated one.”

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order on him and told him he must carry out 140 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.

He was banned from driving for 22 months.