A DRUNK driver who crashed his car on the way home from a Christmas party has been banned from getting behind the wheel for two years.

Martin Duly was nearly three times over the legal limit when his black Ford Mondeo ploughed into the curb near Brighton Hill roundabout during the early hours of Friday, December 20, 2019.

Duly, of Matilda Drive, was charged with drink driving after he gave a positive reading when breathalysed by police officers.

The test detected 100 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. This meant he was more than three times over the legal limit of 35.

At Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 7, Duly’s solicitor described an “unusual set of circumstances” in which the defendant had attended a work Christmas party but left his car at home as a precaution.

He was instead given a lift back home, but then later went back out in his own car.

The court heard that Duly had “no recollection” of driving his car was said to have “had a blackout”, something he has since consulted his GP about.

The solicitor said the offence came at the end of a “long and difficult year”.

He said: “It just seems as though the stress got on top of him and a drink too many led him to this.”

Duly’s probation officer noted that alcohol is “not an issue usually” and that the defendant is “very disgusted and ashamed of himself”.

In sentencing, magistrates said: “This is a high reading [for the breathalyser test] and a very dangerous thing for you to, which you know and you have shown remorse.”

Duly was disqualified from driving for 25 months and given a 12-month community order with a requirement to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.