A REDDITCH engineer has been disqualified from driving for 18 months after crashing his car while over the drink drive limit.

John Wormington, aged 24, appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday, April 13 and pleaded guilty to driving his Chevrolet Lacetti when his alcohol level was above the legal limit.

He was caught with 63mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, almost twice the legal limit of 35mcg.

The incident took place at about 2pm on Saturday, March 21, after Wormington had been out drinking the night before.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said: “There was a collision on the M5 southbound carriageway exit slip road of junction seven.

“The defendant was in collision with another vehicle. Both drivers remained at the scene and Mr Wormington gave a positive roadside test.”

Mark Lister, defending, said: “He has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity; he has a full, clean and current driving licence; and has no relevant previous convictions.

“On the night he went out with some friends and he had drunk a significant amount.

“He only started driving at about 1.30pm and he did not think there would be any problem.

“When he was leaving the motorway there was a misunderstanding and a low-speed collision occurred. He stopped at the scene and fully cooperated with the police.

“He lives with his partner and works as an engineer. Fortunately that employment is only a 20-minute walk from where he lives.”

Sue Dowty, chairman of the bench, disqualified Wormington of Throckmorton Road from driving for 18 months and ordered him to pay a £350 fine, £35 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.