Drink driver was slumped over wheel and fell towards police officer after being stopped by patrol in Hartlepool while three-and-a-half times the limit

Ian McPhee staggered towards the police car and was unable to speak clearly to the officer.

McPhee was banned from driving for three years, and given community work after Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard he was more than three times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

Emma Cruickshank, prosecuting, said McPhee attracted the attention of police because he was driving very slowly.

“It was about 6pm in Seaton Lane in Hartlepool,” added Ms Cruickshank. “The police officer describes how he was slumped over the wheel, and when the officer stopped the car and opened the front door, Mr McPhee fell towards him.

“He was unsteady on his feet as he made his way to the police car, and his speech was slurred.”

The court heard McPhee’s breath alcohol level was found to be 121, compared to the legal limit of 35.

McPhee, 31, of Braemar Road, Hartlepool, admitted driving with excess alcohol on August 15.

He has a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol in 2007. The magistrates sentenced McPhee after hearing a verbal report from the Probation Service.

“He had been badly assaulted by his ex-partner’s new partner, and he thought he had lost his job and his access to his son would be restricted” the probation officer told the court. .”

McPhee was sentenced to a community order of 12 months, a driving ban of three years, 10 rehabilitation activity days, 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £175 costs.