Banned: Drink-drive Shropshire farmer crashed his car into wall

Police discovered Clive Whittingham's damaged Hyundai at the crash scene with blood on the airbag, Telford Magistrates Court heard.

The car was registered to the Whittingham family and officers found the 61-year-old at his farm with a cut nose and a blood splattered shirt.

In court yesterday Whittingham pleaded guilty to driving the vehicle in Woolston Bank, near Oswestry, while over the drink-drive limit on January 29.

Mrs Jenny Winzor, prosecuting, said the collision left the car and boundary wall of the property badly damaged.

When police turned up to Sandford House Farm in West Felton, near Oswestry, Whittingham admitted being the driver of the car involved in the collision.

He was breathalysed but failed the test and was arrested.

When breathalysed at the police station, Whittingham was found to have 55 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Mr Shaun Davies, for Whittingham, said he gave police full and frank admissions. about what had happened when officers arrived at his farm.

He said Whittingham had gone into town to order a takeaway as he had not eaten at all that day, due to being unwell.

But the court was also told that he had consumed four pints of alcohol during the course of the day.

Mr Davies said he had been breathalysed in the past after drinking a similar amount and was not found to be over the drink-drive limit.

He told the court said: "The collision happened on a bend which is quite notorious in the local area.

"It is a country lane where farm vehicles are used."

Mr Davies said Whittingham claimed there had been dirt in the road.

He said a passer-by took him home following the collision, but added that he had intended to return to the scene with someone else to recover the vehicle using a tractor.

The court was told that Whittingham knew the owner of the wall and had spoken to them about what happened.

Mr Davies said the wall had since been repaired, adding: "He is embarrassed he's in court."

As well as the 12-month driving ban, Whittingham was ordered to pay a £650 fine, £135 costs and £65 victim surcharge.

He apologised directly to magistrates, telling them: "I haven't wanted to go anywhere since this happened."