Football fan from South Shields crashed car into bollards outside Sunderland pub after drinking while watching the match

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

Kelvin Jones, 53, ploughed his Vauxhall Astra into bollards outside the Grange public house in Newcastle Road, Fullwell, Sunderland.

He drove off home to Lilac Avenue, South Shields, but a witness spotted the smash and informed Northumbria Police, a court was told.

A knock on his door followed, and Jones admitted his guilt after letting an officer in, telling her he had “had some cans”.

Jones gave a breath test reading of more than twice the limit on Sunday, February 7 - and has now been banned from the roads for 20 months.

Prosecutor Becky Slade told magistrates in South Tyneside: “The witness states that she was driving home from work at about 4.10pm.

“She was stationary at traffic lights. She saw a vehicle travelling quickly from the Sea Road side and collide with bollards.

“She then proceeded through the traffic lights and saw the same vehicle parked in a bus stop. She drove on.

“As a result of inquiries about a road traffic accident, an officer was sent around to the defendant’s address.

“She noticed there was substantial damage to the front of his car. She was invited in, and the defendant said he had crashed.

“He had glazed eyes and was agitated when speaking. He said that he had had some cans at about three-thirty that afternoon.”

Ms Slade said Jones, who has no relevant previous convictions, gave a breath test reading of 77mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Jason Smith, defending, said: “He had been at home and had watched the football and had a few drinks.

“His son, who was a new father, asked him to take him to see the little one. He didn’t think that he was affected by the alcohol.

“He apologises profusely for his actions.”

Magistrates fined Jones, who was on the return leg and alone in the car, £120 with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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