NEIL Stuart Taylor set off to drive from Darwen to his girlfriend's home in Bolton after drinking beer in a pub and sharing a bottle of whisky with a friend.

Blackburn magistrates heard he crashed into a parked car on Blacksnape Road. And a Breathalyser test revealed he was more than three times the legal drink driving limit.

Taylor, 28, of Mersey Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, without insurance, licence or MOT. He was put on probation for 12 months, ordered to complete 80 hours community service and disqualified from driving for 30 months.

Magistrates said they had given serious consideration to a custodial sentence.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said Taylor told police he knew he had a crash because someone in the ambulance told him, but the only thing he remembered was waking up in hospital.

Julian Peers, defending, said his client was under no illusions as to the gravity of the matters he faced. He said Taylor had made arrangements to stay at his friend's house and it was never his intention to drive.

"While he was there, and having consumed alcohol, he got a phone call from his girlfriend in Bolton," said Mr Peers. "They were having problems with their relationship and he decided to go and sort them out."

Mr Peers said the relationship was now over and Taylor had moved in with his parents.

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