A former bus driver crashed into a garden wall after drinking ‘about six pints’, a court heard.

Christopher Beldon drove his Peugeot hatchback through a garden wall, on Blakeridge Lane, Batley, after drinking at a nearby cricket club, Kirklees Magistrates heard yesterday.

The court heard Beldon, 30, of Corfe Close, Batley, had initially walked home after drinking on February 9 before realising he had left his house keys in the car.

After walking back he made the ‘silly mistake’ of attempting to drive the three miles home, said Erica Topham defending.

The court heard father-of-two Beldon had swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle before ploughing into a wall.

Beldon lost his job after making an immediate admission to police that he had drunk ‘about six pints’.

A blood test found Beldon was almost twice the legal limit.

He was banned from driving for 16 months and ordered to pay £145 costs and victim surcharge.

Sentencing Beldon, District Judge Michael Fanning said: “As you are a professional driver you risked an awful lot on that occasion and there were significant risks caused to other road users.”

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