A THIRD time drink driver involved in a smash while more than twice the limit, has walked free from court.

Burnley magistrates heard how father-of-two Stephen O'Brien, 31, was found asleep in the driver's seat of a Vauxhall Astra van, which was embedded into a crash barrier.

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He was arrested, and taken to the police station, where he gave a test showing 84 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

O'Brien, a self-employed plaster, of Cribden Street, Rawtenstall, admitted driving with excess alcohol, on October 5, on Peel Street, in the town. He was given a 12 month community order and must pay £85 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and was banned for three years. Bench chairman Stephen Riley told the defendant his actions had been intentional when committing the offence.

The hearing was told O'Brien's last ban had only ended last December. He has two previous convictions for drink driving.

Daniel Frazer, defending, said O'Brien couldn't recollect what happened. He relied on his vehicle to carry out his work. The defendant had been going through a rather difficult period in his life.

His wife had recently been made redundant and was now working part-time. The family had become reliant on his income and he had been working long hours trying to build up his business.

Mr Frazer said the pressure of work and at home seemed to have got on top of him. O' Brien was somebody who seemed to have the characteristics of somebody who suffered from depression.

The solicitor added: “He had too much to drink. He is extremely remorseful for his actions.”