A MAGICIAN who drank alcohol during a performance and crashed his car on the way home told police he didn't think he would be over the limit.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Jason Orpen, of Wood Street, Spennymoor, crashed his green Honda Civic on the a68 at Bildershaw Bank at around 3.30pm on July 27 this year.

Paul Doney, prosecuting, said the 31-year-old was arrested at the scene after failing a road side breath test and a blood sample later found 105mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, the legal limit is 80mg.

Elizabeth Aisbitt, mitigating, said: "He attended a family gathering where he had been asked to perform some magic, as his hobby as a magician.

"He had two drinks, one during the performance and one after and didn't think he was over the limit."

Orpen, who has a previous conviction for driving under the influence of drugs, pleaded guilty to one charge of driving whilst over the legal limit.

Chair of the bench, Colin Clark, said: "It's an expensive lesson to learn, but when you drink any alcohol you shouldn't really drive."

Orpen was disqualified for 36 months and fined £120.

He must also pay £32 victim surcharge and £85 costs.