A drink-driver hit black ice on his way home from a night out and wrote off his car, Bath magistrates heard.
Appearing in court on Wednesday 23rd July, Joshua Blanchard, from Lippiatt Lane in Timsbury, admitted drink-driving on Bungays Hill at High Littleton.
He had 115 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.
The court heard that the incident happened on 11th January. Blanchard had thought he was fine to drive home from Midsomer Norton after consuming two cans of Spanish lager.
The 22-year-old’s car hit black ice and he crashed. The vehicle automatically sent a SOS call to the police, who turned up to see him going past in a taxi which he said he’d called to take him home so he could get help.
Officers were concerned that Blanchard was injured, and he was taken to hospital. He had been the sole occupant of the car, which was written off.
The court was told that Blanchard works as an apprentice electrician for a housing association and will be able to keep his job, despite inevitably losing his driving licence.
Magistrates banned Blanchard from the road for 14 months, but that will be reduced by 14 weeks as he intends to do a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
He was fined £276 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £110 surcharge.
