A DRINK driver made it only 200 yards from his home before he crashed into a hedge, a court heard.

Kevin Hitcham was brought before the court after he drove into a hedgerow on Walney on the morning of New Year's Day.

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard the 63-year-old was more than double the legal limit for alcohol after being tested following his arrest.

Hitcham, of Walney's West Shore Park, pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving when he appeared before the bench.

On the way to meet a family member, he made it only a short distance before he came into difficulty.

Prosecutor Peter Bardsley said: "The matter goes back to New Year's Day.

"At 11am police were asked to attend Cows Tarn Lane in Barrow.

"Police noted a vehicle had left the road and was caught in a hedgerow.

"The driver was away from the vehicle and pushing a wheelchair down the road.

"He said he had swerved on some ice.

"He was asked to provide a roadside breath test and was over the limit."

Magistrates heard that tests showed Hitcham had 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres in breath, more than double the legal limit of 35.

The court was told the defendant had no previous convictions.

In mitigation, Louise Gordon told magistrates Hithcam was remorseful and had admitted an 'error of judgement'.

She said: "Mr Hitcham is extremely embarrassed to find himself in court today.

"He accepts he made a gross error of judgement having drunk alcohol the day before.

"He cooperated fully with the police prior to and following his arrest and he pleads guilty at the first opportunity.

"On the day he was driving about 200 yards from his home address.

"He's clearly extremely remorseful for his actions."

She said Hitcham was driving to see his son on the day.

Explaining why he was seen out of his pushing a wheelchair, she said: "He says his wife was cold."

The solicitor said Hitcham was a carer for his wife and the pair would have to rely on public transport if he was disqualified from driving.

She said the defendant would be interested in completing a drink driving rehabilitation course.

Sentencing Hitcham, chair of the bench Mike Halshaw said: "We have given you credit for your guilty plea today and we also note your previous good character.

"We also note this was a significantly high reading from the day before."

For the offence, Hitcham was sentenced to a fine of £460 and banned from getting behind the wheel for 18 months.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £46 and £85 costs for bringing the case to court.

Hitcham told the court he would undertake a drink drivers' rehabilitation course, which would reduce the overall length of his ban by 18 weeks.

The court agreed that Hitcham would have 28 days to pay all the money he owed to the court in full.