A 38-YEAR-OLD man who crashed his car into a field near Stanley House in Preston New Road later told paramedics he had taken between 30 and 40 sleeping tablets before he set off in his car.

Blackburn magistrates heard that as he was being taken to hospital Christopher Robert Goring tried to take more tablets but was stopped by a police officer.

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Goring, of Bonsall Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs.

He was made subject to a community order with 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement, ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said Goring told police he didn’t recall much of what happened on the day until he woke up in hospital.

He said he had been taking anti-depressants and sleeping tablets.

Robin Phoenix, defending, said his client had been sectioned after the incident and was now receiving treatment for his problems.

“He has never been in any kind of trouble before,” said Mr Phoenoix.