South Tyneside man hit with road ban after he was caught drink driving to a shop just two streets away from his house.

A drunk South Tyneside scaffolder who drove to a shop to buy booze has been brought down a notch with a road ban.

Carl Ridley, 49, travelled just two streets from his home in Bronte Way, Biddick Hall, a journey his solicitor admitted he could easily have walked.

When he returned with a bottle of vodka on Saturday, August 15, police were waiting after a tip off from a passer-by, borough magistrates heard.

The married dad gave a breath test reading of over twice the limit, leading to a guilty plea to a drink drive charge and a 20-month disqualification.

More than twice over the legal limit

Prosecutor Paul Anderson said: “It’s about 8.30pm when there’s a report of some domestic disturbance.

“Police arrive and see a vehicle, driven by this gentleman, leaving the driveway of the premises, and then returning.

“It was apparent that he had been drinking at some point prior to driving.

“He did have a bottle of vodka with him but didn’t try to prevaricate and said that he hadn’t been drinking that. He cooperated with the police.

“He has one conviction on his record which is driving-related, but it has no bearing on his disqualification.”

Ridley's reading in breath for alcohol was 88mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Heather Bolton, defending, conceded a driving ban of any length would cause Ridley issues, due to his job taking him around the country.

Mrs Bolton said: “His wife didn’t contact the police, it’s unsure why the police had cause to be there.

“The police said a passer-by contacted them, there was nothing untoward about why the police had been out.

“He had drunk during the day and then made the foolish decision to go to a shop and buy vodka. It was only two streets away, he could have walked.

“He is employed as a scaffolder and requires a licence to get to work. He has a motorbike, and his contracts are all over the country.

“A disqualification will have a massive impact on his ability to work. He’s going to have to make alternative arrangements.”

Magistrates also fined Ridley £600 and he must pay a £240 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.