A retired property developer who drove into a ditch returning from a pub, left his car and walked the rest of the way home, a court was told.
Andrew William Moss was spotted walking away with his dog after the crash but, when police arrived at his home later and asked him to perform a breathalyser test, he refused, saying he had drunk whisky before going to bed.
But he will now be unable to use his car for the next 14 months after he was banned from driving.
Peterlee magistrates were told that on arriving home in Thringarth, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, the 61-year-old drank some whisky and went to bed, but woke up to find a police officer shining a torch into his bedroom.
He was said to appear to be heavily intoxicated and was asked to perform a breath test which he refused to comply with, as he was unhappy police had entered his home, even though he had left his door open.
Marcus Blakelock, prosecuting, said police went to the address, in Nook Lane, as a witness to the road incident described seeing a man with a small dog leaving the car.
A check on the police national computer found the vehicle to be registered to the defendant and, on going to his home, the officer found a small dog at the property.
The defendant admitted failing to provide a breath specimen for analysis, on Sunday October 19.
Adrian Ions, in mitigation, said no other vehicles were involved, and no one was injured.
“His last conviction was 24 years ago and he has no convictions of a similar nature or anything involving alcohol.”
Mr Ions said the defendant consumed, “a significant amount of Jura whisky” after getting home and before going to bed.
“He thought he would be over the limit because of that and thought he would make it worse for himself if he provided the sample.
“I have pointed out to him that is not the case.
“He understands now, but in common with most people without legal experience, he didn’t know that then.”
Mr Ions said after remaining alcohol free for many months, the defendant resumed drinking following a difficult period in his personal life, including two bereavements and a marriage break-up, but since the incident hasn't touched any alcohol.
Mr Ions said since moving to Teesdale and renovating a dilapidated barn, eight or nine years ago, the defendant has become a “valued member of village life” and has the support of people in the small rural community.
But he added the inevitable driving ban would prove difficult for him in an area with limited public transport links.
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Magistrate Ian Simpson told the defendant: “You have done the right thing by pleading guilty and accepting responsibility."
The bench imposed a 14-month driving ban, but the defendant was told he could reduce the length by a few months if he completes a drink driving awareness course.
He was also fined £333, with a £133 statutory surcharge and £85 court costs, totalling £551.
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