Drink-driver crashed VW Golf into ditch while looking for a lighter on Christmas Eve

James Cook, 22, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Kirstie Devine, prosecuting, said: “It was Christmas Eve and police were called to a one-vehicle road traffic collision where they found a Golf vehicle in a ditch.”

She said the incident happened in Whitburn’s Moor Lane at around 10pm and there were no occupants on the scene.

Ms Devine said Cook, who lives in the village’s Lindsay Court, returned to the scene and gave a positive breath test.

His reading was 65mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, with the limit being 35mg, although he told officers he had consume two bottles of lager following the accident.

Ms Devine said: “The defendant had been in the pub half a mile down the road.”

She said he is of previous good character.

Cook, who was not represented in court, said: “I am just going to be honest, I made a stupid mistake, it won’t happen again.”

He said the accident happened as he was driving along the road and his friend asked for a lighter and he was looking around trying to find one.

He said he only left the car because it was Christmas Eve and he didn’t think there would be anybody available to recover it until after Christmas.

Cook was banned from driving for 18 months, fined £334 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.