A MAN who was more than three times over the drink drive limit when he crashed his car has admitted he "wouldn't have been able to live with himself" if he had caused a serious accident.

Andrew Brown, of Langley Park in Durham, had consumed a "couple of cans" before making a "spur of the moment" decision to drive his Ford Focus.

John Garside, prosecuting, said the 50-year-old hit a kerb on Woodland Road in Ushaw Moor, damaging the car's wishbone and wheel, before leaving the car at the scene and returning home.

After drinking some whisky and more cans at home, he realised he had left his wallet in the car, so he went back and was arrested.

A probation officer said Brown realised he had been "stupid", after he was found with 113 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Brown was disqualified from driving for two years and was handed a 12 month community order.

He was also ordered to pay £100 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.