A FATHER who drove half a mile to get home while drunk because it was too cold to walk has been banned from driving for two years.

Michael Rhodes, from Ferryhill, admitted driving while more than three times the drink drive limit when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today (December 14).

Prosecutor Blair Martin said police were called to a traffic accident on Brancepeth Road, where the 34-year-old lives, at about 2am on November 29.

Officers found Rhodes sitting in his Vauxhall Astra which had struck a sign post.

Mr Martin said his speech was slurred and he was found to have 107mcg of alcohol in 100mll of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Rhodes told police that he had been to Ferryhill Working Men’s Club half a mile from his home.

Mr Martin said Rhodes claimed he had intended to walk the two-minute walk home, but decided it was too cold so drove instead.

Rory Todd, in mitigation, said Rhodes’ car skidded on ice as he turned into Brancepeth Road from Wood Lane and collided with a signpost.

He said alcohol had led to Rhodes making a “very foolish decision” to drive home.

The court heard that a driving ban will affect his ability to get to work in Durham and to see his children in Peterlee.

Magistrates banned Rhodes from driving for 24 months and ordered him to pay £616 in fines and costs.