Drink driver apologises for ‘stupid’ behaviour

A drink driver escaped serious injury after smashing into a tree while mounting a roundabout on a busy main road.

Steven Kirkham was taken to hospital suffering from chest pains and a broken collarbone after the accident, which happened on the A189 at West Moor, in North Tyneside in May this year.

A court was told the 64-year-old had to give a blood sample rather than take a breath test, which showed he was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Kirkham, who admitted that his behaviour was “stupid and reckless”, has now been banned from the roads for 25 months after he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

The court heard Kirkham, of Burradon Road, in Burradon, gave a reading of 221 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, when the legal limit is 80.

Kirkham, representing himself, said he was deeply sorry for his actions and claimed he had since sought help for his issues with alcohol.

He added: “I just can’t believe I have done this after 43 years driving. I have never knowingly driven while over the limit.

“That night, I did know but I took no notice about what was going on in my head. I’m just pleased nobody else was harmed or injured.

“It was a stupid and reckless thing to do and I regret it.”

Magistrates gave Kirkham an 18-month community order, which included a four-week curfew between 6pm and 6am.