Drink driver banned after car crash in Northumberland which 'put children's lives at risk'

Ross Dickson, from Thropton, had two young children in the car when he hit a verge on the B6341 near Alnwick, lost control and crashed into a field.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of excess alcohol when he appeared at Berwick Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard the crash happened on Good Friday, April 3 near Wide Hope Bridge between Edlingham and the A697 New Moor House crossroads.

Police attended the scene at 12.23pm and found a Vauxhall Astra in a field with significant damage to its roof after rolling over. A passing doctor was in attendance and an ambulance was called.

Stephen Davies, prosecuting, told magistrates the defendant gave a positive roadside test measuring 189mg alc/100ml blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Under police interview, the defendant told officers he had been drinking the night before until 2am and had consumed half a bottle of whisky and four cans of beer.

In mitigation, Ian O’Rourke told the court that the children had been uninjured. However, the defendant sustained a broken neck and was off work for several months.

"He is shocked by his own behaviour,” Mr O’Rourke told the court. “It was completely out of character.

"This event happened when he was on his way with the two children to his parents on Good Friday. He had described his conduct to me as being totally lacking in judgement.”

Magistrates called for pre-sentence reports and were told the defendant did not see himself as having an issue with alcohol.

Bench chairman Kenneth Toft told the defendant: “You willingly and knowingly drove that car after drinking so much alcohol that you were impaired. You put your children’s lives at risk and it’s only by sheer luck you are not serving a life sentence.”

He was banned from driving for 20 months, to be reduced on successful completion of a drink driver rehabilitation course.

He was also given a £692 fine and ordered to pay a £277 victim surcharge and £85 costs.