A van driver who crashed into a parked vehicle in Penrith while over the drink-drive limit has been banned from the road for 20 months.
Cassidy Green (39), was travelling through the town in Peugeot Bipper van, at around 9-15pm on 27th January, when it crashed into a stationary Audi S3.
The Audi’s owner, who recognised the defendant Green, saw him getting out of the vehicle, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard. He seemed “dazed”, there was smoke coming from a discharged airbag and he started to walk away but was located nearby.
He failed a breath test and was found to be just over twice the legal limit.
In court Cassidy, of Cooper’s Close, Askham, admitted driving with excess alcohol — his first criminal offence.
Steven Marsh gave mitigation and said Cassidy was a self-employed building labourer. He had separated from his wife in November and been “very low and depressed”. “I think that had contributed to him committing the offence,” said Mr Marsh. “He has taken steps since then to address the factors that led him to commit this offence.”
In the short-term Green could cycle into Penrith and meet a lift to work but there was uncertainty once his current employment contract ended in the coming weeks.
“He feels there might be a period of unemployment coming up as a result of him not being able to drive,” added Mr Marsh.
Green was banned from driving for 20 months with immediate effect. He was fined £400 and must also pay £85 costs and a £160 mandatory surcharge.
