A WINE merchant driving almost four times the legal drink-drive limit has been banned from the roads and told he “could have killed [himself] or anybody else”.

Darren Shield, who co-owns Darlington’s Vesuvio wine merchants and bar, admitted to getting behind the wheel after consuming at least four vodka drinks to alleviate pre-wedding nerves.

Police responded to reports that a Volkswagen Polo was being driven around Darlington town centre on Monday, January 22.

The 35-year-old was stopped by officers on Beaumont Street at around 11.10pm.

Ann barker, prosecuting in Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, said: “Police were made aware of a vehicle being driven around Darlington town centre with a male driver who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

“When the officers stopped the grey Polo, the defendant appeared to be intoxicated – his words were slurred and his eyes were glazed.

“The police officer stated he could smell intoxicating liquor on his breath.”

Shield, a wine expert at his business on Houndgate, failed a roadside breath test after producing a sample of 135 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

A probation officer told the court: “He stated he could not recall how much alcohol he had to drink that night and he remembers he was at one bar and drank four vodkas.

“He said that evening he had been stressed about his impending wedding and the stress of his business.

“He’s very ashamed and is disgusted at his behaviour.”

The officer added: “He has had his own business for the last seven years which is a wine bar and a shop and he works alongside his brother.

“I believe there’s a low likelihood of him offending.”

Shield, of Front Street, in Winston, near Barnard Castle, pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink-driving.

John Clish, mitigating for Shield, said his client had not asked him to “reel out excuses” and accepted that getting behind the wheel was a “foolish act”.

Magistrates banned Shield from driving for two years and five months and handed him a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

The chairman of the bench addressed Shield and said: “Drink-driving is a very, very serious offence and the level you’ve been driving at is an outrageous level.

“You could have killed yourself or killed anybody else – it’s just unbelievable that you’ve drank to that level and got into a car and drove.”

Shield must also pay £85 in court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.