A DALTON drunk driver flipped his car on its roof in an A590 roundabout crash after consuming eight or nine pints of lager, a court heard.

Leon Paul Menzler got behind the wheel of his Seat Ibiza car after drinking with friends in Ulverston and his car ended up on its roof on the Elliscales roundabout, between Dalton and Askam, in the early hours of December 20.

The 24-year-old was more than twice the legal limit and he pleaded guilty to the offence at Furness Magistrates' Court. His breath test reading related to the court charge was 97 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes. This was taken at the police station.

Cumbria police said Menzler gave a roadside breath test blowing 108 microgrammes of alcohol – three times the limit.

Prosecutor, Mr Peter Kelly said police had attended the scene at 2.15am and found the overturned car on the roundabout and Menzler standing next to the vehicle. The officer could smell alcohol on the defendant.

Mr Kelly said Menzler had told police he had been out drinking in Ulverston with friends and that he had drunk eight or nine pints of lager and made the decision to drive.

The prosecutor said Menzler did not know how the car had ended up on its roof. Mr Kelly said: "He panicked and went to walk off into Dalton. He called a friend and his friend told him to go back to the car."

Mr Kelly said Menzler complied with the police and is "a man of previous good character".

Defending Menzler, Mr Sean Harkin said an aggravating feature was the collision. Mr Harkin said the defendant did return to the scene, he complied with the police and is a man of previous good character.

Mr Harkin said: "He has made a very poor decision and he will live to regret that. He does regret that and has shown remorse."

Mr Harkin told the magistrates that Menzler had spent a considerable amount of money on the car by taking a loan and that he is out of pocket by around £7,000.

Menzler, of Ann Street, Dalton, was disqualified from driving for 24 months and ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid community work.

He must also pay £85 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Chief Inspector Andy Wilkinson of Cumbria police said: “A picture speaks a thousand words and this image certainly highlights the dangers and consequences of drink-driving.

“Mr Menzler’s decision to get behind the wheel after drinking so much that night could easily have led to tragic consequences. It is only through good fortune that the officer who attended did not find himself at the scene of a fatal collision where Mr Menzler or an innocent road user lost their life.

“As a result of his extremely poor decision making on 20 December, Menzler has lost his licence and will have a criminal conviction against his name.

“I hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drink-driving to everyone who uses our roads throughout 2017.”