A drink-driver went the wrong way round Workington viaduct and crashed into another car after he had been drinking at the railway club.

Police were called to a fail-to-stop of a male who had driven a Toyota Yaris the wrong way round the viaduct in Workington on the evening of October 8.

Workington Magistrates’ Court heard that the vehicle had collided with another car and the driver, Richard Houghton, 60, had walked away from the scene.

The defendant was located by police on Duke Street in Workington, the court was told.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said he was 'clearly intoxicated'. He was unsteady on his feet and was slurring his words.

Houghton was breathalysed and had 90mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

The defendant was interviewed by police and said he had very little recollection of what had happened. The last thing he could remember was being in the pub and then waking up in custody.

He said he had been to Workington Railway Club, which is in the middle of the viaduct. He accepted he must have been the one to move the vehicle and said he would have been going home.

Houghton, of Shore Side, Siddick, Workington, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with alcohol level above the limit and failing to stop after a road accident.

John Cooper, defending, said: “It’s 15 years since he’s last been in trouble.

“He remembers going to the railway club. He went for a few drinks with his friends. He can’t understand how he has got into the state he has.

“He got into a taxi with friends, got to Siddick, then realises his house keys are in the car.

“He turns left instead of going round the viaduct. There has been a collision. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.

“Once he has got to the police station, he has co-operated throughout.”

Houghton’s probation officer said he was unable to remember the incident due to being under the influence.

He said he was glad no one was hurt.

Houghton had been working for a driving company but had now resigned, the court was told.

Magistrates banned Houghton from driving for 23 months. He was offered the drink driver’s rehabilitation course, which would reduce his sentence by 23 weeks.

He was also given a 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

Houghton must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

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