A DRINK driver hit a lamp post before driving off, a court heard.

Ben Joseph Burnside was seen crashing his Land Rover into the lamp post on Biscop Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, during the early hours of January 10.

At Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, January 28), Michael Rose, prosecuting, said a member of the public alerted police after witnessing the incident at about 5am and officers stopped Burnside shortly afterwards.

He said the 32-year-old, of Liddell Close, Newton Aycliffe, was arrested and officers recorded 93 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath. The limit is 35.

He was charged with drink driving, no insurance and failing to report an accident.

Sonny Lawson, mitigating, said his client had owned up immediately and was remorseful.

“At 32 years he’s disappointed to find himself before the court and losing his good character,” he said.

“He had been drinking the night before and then decided to drive to see a friend and he knows he should not have got into the vehicle.”

Mr Lawson also said Burnside had not realised his insurance had ran out as he had missed a reminder letter after moving house.

District Judge, Martin Walker, fined Burnside £300 and ordered him to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 in costs as well as banning him from the roads for 20 months.