A 48-YEAR-OLD man who crashed his car as he drove home from a concert at King George’s Hall in Blackburn was found to be more than three times the legal drink-drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard Gregory Smith had two previous convictions for drink-driving.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Smith, of Fitzgerald Drive, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months, ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid work and pay £165 costs. He was banned from driving for 42 months.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Smith had been to watch Heaven 17 and had been driving home when he collided with a parked car in Garden Street. Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Smith was experiencing difficulties in relation to his family life.

“Alcohol is something people turn to as a crutch,” said Mr Taylor. “To his credit he has not had a drink since this incident.”