A CHEF was drink driving when he crashed into two parked cars, a court heard.

Police were called to reports of an accident on Oxford Street in Barrow at 00:10am on March 20 this year, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly said officers asked the defendant, Ysrael Carbonell, to conduct a roadside breath test which came back positive for alcohol. The lowest reading of which was 48 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35.

Mr Kelly told the court: “There was significant damage to the rear of one of the vehicles involved in the collision and a large scratch along the side panel of the other vehicle.

“The defendant said he was the driver of the vehicle. He said he had been to a party with some friends and had been drinking shots and whisky.

“He said he did not know how the crash occurred. He told police he tried to recover the steering of the vehicle but lost control.”

In mitigation, Michael Graham said the 43-year-old, of Middle Field in Barrow, had been at a family gathering that evening which was not a party for excessive drinking throughout the night.

Mr Graham said: “The host gave him a parting shot which put him over the limit.

“He accepts that he collided with two parked vehicles. It was a momentary lapse in concentration. He tried to steer one way and the car went another way.

“He is a chef and has difficulty walking any distance or standing.”

He pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving without due care and attention and using a vehicle without third-party insurance when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on April 3.

 

Magistrates fined the defendant £180 for the offences and banned him from driving for 14 months.

Carbonell was offered the opportunity of attending a drink-driving rehabilitation course, which if completed, would reduce the length of ban.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £72 surcharge.