Drink driver and two passengers had lucky escape when he overturned his £40,000 BMW on Hartlepool road

The case was heard at Teesside Magistrates' Court in Middlesbrough. Copyright: Google Streetview

Adam Dendrickson, 38, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that the defendant had been out for an evening drinking with his wife and a male friend and all three were in the car when it crashed in Burn Road on September 22.

Natalie Robinson, prosecuting, said police were called to Burn Road at around 12.25am to reports that a vehicle had overturned.

She said when asked if he was the driver, he said ‘I have done something stupid’.

Dendrickson had a cut to his hand and was taken to hospital for treatment, where he gave a sample which showed 185 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine, with the limit being 107.

She said: “He made several references to being the driver of the vehicle. He said, ‘I have had five pints and I have written off a £40,000 car’.”

A spokesman for the probation service said Dendrickson, who has two children and three stepchildren, said he had gone out with the intention of having a pint and playing pool.

She said: “However, this wasn’t the case and he had four or five pints. He felt fine to drive, didn’t feel unsteady on his feet.”

The officer said: “He admitted he was probably driving at speed and lost control of the vehicle.

“Luckily all three parties involved came out with no serious injuries.

“He did show signs of remorse and regret for his actions. He puts it down to an act of stupidity.”

Alex Wood, defending, said: “He acknowledged his wrong-doing right at the outset.

“He is very embarrassed to be here. He told me he hates himself for putting others in that situation.

“He knows it could have been a lot worse and he is very thankful that it wasn’t.”

Ms Wood said her client, who is self-employed, is a man of previous good character.

He was banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £90 surcharge. He was also given a 12-month community order with 70 hours unpaid work.