A TEENAGE drink driver fled the scene after he crashed into a lamppost, a court heard.

Max William Nickson was driving his car on Roa Island Road in Barrow on New Year’s Eve last year when the incident happened.

The 18-year-old, of Meadowlands Avenue in Barrow, pleaded guilty to drink driving and failing to stop after a a road accident when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard the teenager had 75 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly said: “Police received a report of a single vehicle being involved in an incident shortly after midnight.

“A lamppost had been struck and the person involved had left the area.

“A report to the police allowed them to find the defendant at a property.

“He was seen trying to leave the property over a wall but police tried to prevent that.

“He provided a positive sample when he was breathalysed by police.

“He told police he had had two sips of Strongbow.

“He said he remembers attempting to take a sharp right hand corner and was driving too fast for the conditions."

In mitigation, Michael Graham said: “It was a mistake by the defendant to drive the vehicle. In hindsight he says there was no reason for him to drive at the time.

“When he realised his stupidity he didn’t prevaricate.

“You will note he’s had no previous involvement with the authorities.

“He has taken the position that he should not have been drunk and has abstained from alcohol since the incident.”

Nickson was sentenced to a 20-month driving ban and fined £220 for each offence.

Chair of the bench Chris Harris said: “These are serious matters, particularly for someone so inexperienced behind the wheel.

“There was an accident - it could have been a lot worse.

“It’s good and pleasing to hear you have taken some positives out of this. Don’t be tempted to jump in a vehicle because there will be very dire consequences for you and the rest of your life.”