Crash man banned from driving

A beer delivery man has been banned from driving after he crashed into a vehicle in Rochdale whilst more than double the drink-drive limit.

David Smith, 32, from Durham, had stopped in Rochdale at 9:45pm on Saturday 6 February 2010 to deliver 12 miles away the following morning. He drank six pints of lager and two Sambuca shots in a pub before getting in his Volvo lorry.

Mr Smith was arrested around 3am when police saw a BMW with damage to the rear.

The driver of the BMW told them he had been struck by a vehicle after waiting at traffic lights.

Police soon discovered Mr. Smith in a truck and discovered he was nearly 50 microgrammes over the limit.

Mr. Smith did not attend his court appearance in Rochdale in March, claiming he had been injured in the accident and could not attend.

However he later admitted driving whilst intoxicated and failing to surrender to court at a hearing at Peterlee Magistrates Court.

Mr Smith is banned from driving for 20 months, must pay a £100 fine, £85 costs, a £15 victim surcharge and has been offered a place on a drink-drive rehabilitation course.