A NEWPORT man drove while disqualified and while double the drink drive limit — and crashed his girlfriend's car.
William Richard Barnaby, 36, of Carisbrooke Road, admitted driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified and without insurance, on September 17, when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Liz Miller, prosecuting, said police were called just before 9pm to a road traffic incident on Noke Common.
On arrival they found a silver Renault Clio with extensive damage, which had crashed into a black van.
Barnaby admitted driving his girlfriend's car and crashing into the stationary van, which he claimed was badly parked.
The alcohol reading in his breath was 72, when the legal limit is 35.
James Cameron, representing Barnaby, said Barnaby's girlfriend had been driving but couldn't carry on as she was suffering a bad migraine, so Barnaby took over.
Mr Cameron said: "He made a stupid decision and accepts culpability."
He said Barnaby was living in supported accommodation and was engaging with probation and alcohol addiction services.
Magistrates gave him a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for one year.
Presiding magistrate Peter Redding told Barnaby: "If you come back to court for any reason you could almost guarantee you will serve that custodial period."
Barnaby was also given a 46-month driving ban and was ordered to pay a £120 surcharge and £85 costs.
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