Drink driver banned for crashing into park car after celebrating birth of work colleague's new baby

South tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told Peter Moore, 44, avoided the immediate danger after a car pulled out, but instead hit a car parked in Croft Terrace, Jarrow.

He stayed and swapped details with the owner and complied fully with police – but failed a breath test on the evening of Saturday, January 30.

Moore, of Stephen Court, Jarrow, was arrested and taken to Sunderland’s Southwick police station where a further test confirmed he was over the limit.

Magistrates have now banned him from the roads for a year after hearing he had no previous convictions.

Prosecutor Ian Martin said police officers attended the incident in Croft Terrace, adding: “They spoke to the driver of a grey Ford Focus that had crashed into a stationary vehicle.

“A roadside breath test was conducted which was over the limit, and the defendant was taken to Southwick police station.”

Mr Martin said in a second test, Moore gave a reading of 41mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Paul McAlindon, defending, said: “It’s the first time he’s attended a court for this or any other matter.

“The effects of the case are not going to be insignificant. He was on his way home from work, he works nightshift.

“A colleague had had a baby and some hours before they had drunk to whet the baby’s head.

“The collision was caused by a driver in Croft Terrace who pulled out. It was not that car that he hit.

“That car drove off, but he clipped a car that was parked. He did the right thing – he stayed and spoke to the owner and to the police.

“He was barely over the limit. The impact on him is going to be significant. He works full-time and has a vehicle for that.

“That employment may still be there, but it’s down the country. He’s genuinely remorseful. I don’t think the collision was due to alcohol.”

Moore was fined £320 and must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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