A Sunderland railway worker has lost his driving licence after a motoring offence led to him being caught drunk at the wheel.

Jamie Milburn, 19, was socialising with friends when his girlfriend turned up in his dad’s mobility vehicle for which she was not insured, a court heard.

Knowing only he and his father were permitted to use the VW Polo, Milburn, of Pennywell Road, Pennywell, decided he must drive it back.

But he crashed into railings in the city’s Chester Road on Saturday, February 28, prosecutor Jade Houston said.

A breath test showed he was almost twice the legal alcohol limit, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

They heard the fall-out from his arrest had led to a split from his partner, with whom he shares a child.

Ms Houston said: “Officers received reports of a male driving a black VW Polo which had crashed into railings in Chester Road.

“He smelled of alcohol and a roadside breath test was failed. He was taken to Southwick police station.

“He comes before the court with no previous convictions. It’s a disqualification of between 17 and 22 months.”

Milburn pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with excess alcohol. He gave a reading in breath for alcohol of 67mcg, against a legal limit of 35mcg.

Peter Farrier, defending, said: “What happened on this night is that he was socialising in Sunderland city centre with friends.

“His girlfriend turned up, she was driving his dad’s mobility vehicle that she wasn’t insured to drive.

“He was upset that she had brought that car down uninsured. Only he and his dad are insured for it.

“He decided to take it back and was pulled over by police. This is the first time he’s been locked up. He apologises for his stupidity.

“It caused a bit of a disturbance between him and his girlfriend. It would appear they’ve split up. He’s sofa surfing as a result of the situation that has arisen.”

Magistrates banned Milburn from driving for 18 months and fined him £275, with a £110 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

William Carlyon, chair of the bench, told him: “This is a sorry set of circumstances that finds you here but, unfortunately, the law is the law.”