A MAN who crashed into a parked car while drunk has been banned from driving for three years because he has previously been imprisoned for drink driving.

John Thomas Hardy admitted driving while almost twice the legal limit when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor John Garside said police were called to a collision in North Bitchburn near Crook at about 10.30pm on Sunday, February 17.

Hardy, 31, of Horton Crescent in Bowburn, was found to have crashed his Vauxhall Vectra into a parked car, and a test found he had 66mcg of alcohol in 100mll of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mr Garside said Hardy, who was jailed in 2003 for three and a half years for various offences including dangerous and drink driving, made full admissions to police when they arrived.

The court heard that Hardy had been visiting his brother and had six cans of lager and a shot of whisky.

Mike Clarke in mitigation said Hardy has made “strenuous efforts” to turn his life around since being released from prison.

Mr Clarke said: “Mr Hardy thought he would be alright to drive, clearly that was an error on his part.”

Because of his previous convictions magistrates banned Hardy from driving for three years, although that would be reduced if he completed the drink driver’s rehabilitation scheme.

He was also ordered to pay £205 in fines and costs.