Drink-driver crashed on John Reid Road afer heavy boozing at grandmother's wake

Sunderland driver is one of eight motorists arrested in police drink and drug drive crackdown

Alan Kenyon had his brush with the law when police were called to John Reid Road, South Shields, after his Renault Scenic vehicle collided with a barrier.

The 45-year-old failed a roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

He recorded an alcohol reading of 41mcg in breath at South Shields police station – narrowly exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg.

Kenyon, of Auckland Terrace, Jarrow, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard Kenyon had attended his grandmother’s funeral and wake the evening before.

Magistrates were told his car suffered “extensive damage” in the accident and he was also left with a road ban and a hefty court bill.

Paul Doney, prosecuting, said: “At 9.30am on January 22, police were called to a report of a road collision in John Reid Road.

“A vehicle was found to have crashed into a barrier. It had extensive front end damage.

“The defendant identified himself and police noted he smelt of alcohol.

“He failed a roadside breath test and was taken to the police station, where he recorded a reading of 41mcg of alcohol.”

Michelle Stonley, defending, said: “The day before, the defendant had attended his grandmother’s funeral. The cremation was at 3.30pm and the wake followed at a public house, where he stayed until midnight.

“He got up to go on with his normal routine the following morning, which involved driving his car.

“He did not think for a minute that he would still be over the limit that morning.”

Alan Rhys, chairman of the magistrates, said Kenyon had been served up a sober lesson.

He said: “This has come as a great shock to you.

“Unfortunately, drink does not just disappear out of the blood system as if by magic. It takes a number of hours to do that.

“This will be a lesson that will hovering in the background for quite some time to come.”

Kenyon was handed a 12-month driving ban and must pay a fine of £120 as well as prosecution costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge.