Engineer crashed BMW after drinking following break-up

Daniel Elliott, 26, drove his white BMW into and across Albert Road in Jarrow, but lost control and slammed into a bench.

Witnesses saw Elliott, of Northbourne Road, Jarrow, get out but then get back in – and drive away, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

One then spotted him parked up in his home street – and police found him in the driver’s seat and in possession of the car’s key on Saturday, April 24.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said Elliott gave a positive roadside breath test which was confirmed by an evidential reading at a police station.

He is now starting a 22-month road ban – the highest possible for his level of booze – and must pay over £1,000 in fines and court costs.

Mrs Beck said: “At 9.15pm two witnesses were walking along when they heard the sound of screeching tyres.

“They saw a BMW cross Albert Road from Frobisher Street and go straight across the road and collide with a bench.

“One went to check and saw the driver getting out of the driver’s side. His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.

“There was another male, in the passenger seat. Both got back in, and the defendant drove off towards Northbourne Road.

“She then saw the same car parked up in Northbourne Road. She saw the same male who was driving before.”

Elliott gave a reading of 84mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Mrs Beck added: “He told police he had been drinking at the Hebburn Sports Bar and had consumed four pints of lager and a glass of wine.”

Charlie Carr, defending, said: “You’re probably asking why does a decent young man with no convictions drink and drive.”

She added he ‘wasn’t thinking properly’ after the breakdown of his relationship.

"He wasn’t thinking straight,” she said.

Elliott pleaded guilty to drink-driving, failing to report an accident and failing to stop after an accident.

He was fined £864 and must pay an £86 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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