A builder faces unemployment after crashing his van into a wall while almost three times over the drink-drive limit.
Neil Marren, of Rowley Lane in Lepton, worked in North Yorkshire and employed two staff prior to the smash on August 15.
He appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court today where he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving whilst over the prescribed limit.
The court heard that police were called to the scene of the crash on Jagger Lane in Kirkheaton at just after 6pm.
Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said: “A Vauxhall Vivaro being driven by Mr Marren had collided with a wall. The owner heard a loud bang and saw a cloud of dust. He went to check and saw Mr Marren coming out of the vehicle and formed the impression he was in drink.”
The court heard that police were called and found the car resting in the road at a strange angle.
Marren, 36, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and police station breath tests revealed that he had 98 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
This was almost three times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Marren, who had no previous convictions, was at the time working as a self-employed builder.
He was not a habitual drinker but was finding it difficult to cope due to the anniversary of his father’s death.
He had jobs in North Yorkshire and two others working for him.
Magistrates heard that due to the offence his work would cease and his workers, who didn’t drive, would have to find their own way to work.
They banned him from driving for 23 months.
Marren must also undergo 50 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 court charge, £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.
