A 21-year-old has lost his driving licence after drinking eight bottles of beer and colliding with a roundabout in the early hours of the morning.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that Anthony Clarke was found by police attempting to change a tyre at the side of the road in Durham City Centre at around 2.25am on Wednesday, October 2.

Lee Poppett, prosecuting, said: “He was full and frank with police and said that he was the driver and the sole occupant of the vehicle which was his own.

“He said he had collided with a roundabout and that his car had suffered some damage but he was okay.

“Police asked him to provide a specimen and he found himself being arrested. When interviewed he admitted to drinking eight bottles of lager before driving.”

Clarke, of Leazes Lane, Hexham, Northumberland, was found to have 63mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35mg.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of driving whilst above the legal drink drive limit.

Representing himself, he told magistrates he was “deeply sorry” for what he had done.

He added: “I would just like to apologise and it’s really grounded me.”

Magistrates handed him a 17 month ban and a £363 fine. He must also pay £85 costs and £36 victim surcharge.