A MAN who works with autistic children and cares for his 92-year old nana has been banned from driving for more than three years.

Gary Sandick, of Nickstream Lane, Darlington, drank eight cans of lager at around 2.30pm on April 26 after he had returned home from his night shift and visiting his nana, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' court heard on Thursday.

After going to bed, he got up at 7pm and decided to drive his red Volkswagen Polo.

Emma Barker, prosecuting, said Sandick drove along Auckland Oval in the town and collided with another vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle suspected Sandick had been drinking and called the police.

He failed a roadside breath test after recording 68 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Peter Hamill, mitigating, said there was only "minor damage" to the car and Sandick had a "very difficult job".

"He worked a night shift for 12 hours and finished at 9am. He then went to see his nana and took his dog for a walk.

"He doesn't drink on a daily basis. This time he used alcohol."

Sandick was banned from driving for 38 months and was offered the drink driver rehabilitation course. He was ordered to pay a fine of £219, as well as £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.