A SHOPKEEPER who was the victim of an armed robbery this year has been banned from driving after causing a crash while drunk following the death of his father.

Sarabjit Dhillon, 46, was nearly three times over the legal limit when he was involved in a road traffic collision in Redworth, County Durham, on September 17.

Dhillon, of Redworth Road, Shildon, pleaded guilty to drink driving and to driving without due care and attention.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting, told Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court that he was driving a Mercedes sprinter van at the time of the crash, which happened at 9.15pm, and failed a roadside breath test.

He was found with 107 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than three times the legal limit.

Dan Foster, mitigating, said: “This is a 46-year-old family man of previous good character. Mr Dhillon at the time of the offence in the hours immediately preceding getting behind the wheel had been taking part in the cultural ritual of washing and preparing his father’s funeral the next day.

“Having returned to his shop he was in shock. Whilst he was there feeling desperately low and gripped with grief and bereavement, he had more to drink than he normally would do.”

Mr Foster added that Dhillon was dealing with “ongoing stress” after being targeted by an armed robbery.

He said: “He runs a family shop which has been targeted by armed robberies in Shildon, which is a place with some social difficulties. He feels if he is not present this will continue and be exacerbated.”

Dhillon, who runs Shildon Post Office and Stores, in Redworth Road, had to fight off an axe-wielding robber in March this year.

Shaun McKerry, of Benbow Walk, in Coundon, was jailed for six years for the crime. He is one of the region's most notorious criminals, dubbed Homing Pigeon Boy after he was arrested numerous times in the 1990s

Speaking after the court hearing, Dhillon, who is now getting bereavement counselling, said: "I'm embarrassed at what I've done to my family. I've always tried to do the right thing in life but now I've done this one stupid thing. I feel as if I've let everyone down.

"As a man you don't get help until it's too late, you try and soldier on."

Magistrates handed Dhillon a fine of £1,300, court costs of £85, a £120 victim surcharge and a criminal court charge of £150.

He was also banned from driving for 26 months and was offered a drink drive rehabilitation course.