A MAN has been banned from driving for almost four years after he admitted drink driving for the third time.

Graham Bodycombe, 36, was found by police slumped in his car at 3.30am on September 14 after he had driven his Seat Ibiza into two large boulders used to block a road off Rotary Way, in the Faverdale Industrial Estate.

Tests showed that he had 102mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – almost three times the legal limit of 35mg.

Bodycombe, of Deneside Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to driving while above the alcohol limit when he appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, October 1).

The court heard Bodycombe had tried to contact the police after the 2am crash but was so drunk officers could not follow his instructions.

Jon Garside, prosecuting, said Bodycombe was found by police officers on patrol after they were alerted to the crashed vehicle by a delivery driver.

He said: “In interview the defendant admitted responsibility. He said he had drunk eight pints and could not remember crashing or calling police.”

Mr Garside told magistrates that Bodycombe had two previous convictions for driving with excess alcohol – in 2000 and 2011 – and had been banned from driving for 24 months on each occasion.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said: “The defendant did call police straight after the crash and an hour and a half later he was still there. He could have left the scene but he didn’t.

“The incident seemed to start with some sort of disagreement at home. His intention was to find a hotel and for some reason that didn’t happen.”

Magistrates ordered Bodycombe to complete 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and banned him from driving for 44 months. He must also pay costs of £85 and victim surcharge of £60.