A DRIVER who smashed into a car after a night out, had not had a drink for about six hours before the accident, a court heard.

Father-of-two John Clarkson, 43, was driving his works van when he crossed on to the wrong side of the road and hit the Volkswagen Polo at about 7.30am, Burnley magistrates heard.

Clarkson told police he drank eight or nine pints the night before, finishing about 1am.

Clarkson, of Park Road, Cliviger, was banned from driving for 12 months and must pay £290 in costs and fines.

He admitted driving with excess alcohol and without due care and attention, on Todmorden Road, Burnley.

A breath test showed more than one and a half times the legal alcohol limit.

Mike Travers, prosecuting, told the court the Polo driver suffered serious leg injuries and a cracked rib.

Clarkson said the crash happened in a split second and there had been "slush" on the road. Clarkson had no previous convictions.

Basil Dearing, defending, said the case was "the morning after the night before." He went on: "Sadly, people just don't seem to understand the effects of drink, how long it stays in their bodies and how dangerous it can sometimes be to drive to work in the morning."

When Clarkson, who worked for James Proctor Ltd, got up for work, he felt perfectly all right and thought he was driving very carefully.

Mr Dearing went on: "The defendant has had a very chastening experience. In a split second, a tragedy had befallen him, there had been a fairly serious accident and he runs the risk of losing his job.

"Life will never be the same again. He apologises to everyone touched by the accident."

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