A KEEN sportsman caught drink-driving had underestimated the strength of home-brewed beer, a court heard.

Jonathan Brennan, 20, had had six glasses of home-brew before smashing into a pub wall.

Brennan, a sales rep for a retail garage outlet in Blackburn, could now lose his job and had to see his bosses after his court appearance.

The defendant, of Beverley Road, Blacko, admitted drink-driving and was banned for 18 months, fined £250 and ordered to pay £20 costs.

Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, said that just after 2am, a police officer went to Beverley Road after a report that a car had crashed into a wall. Debris was strewn about and the defendant was driving down the road. The officer followed his car, noting it swerved from side to side.

The car was stopped as it turned into Brennan's farmhouse address. The officer noticed it was badly damaged and both air bags had inflated. The defendant smelled of drink.

He later gave two breath tests and the lowest reading showed 86 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Brian Irlam, defending, said Brennan was very well thought of at work but he did not know whether his job would still be open to him. He had explained to his employers his situation and they had told him to go back when he knew the length of his ban.

The defendant had always abided by the drink-driving rules. He was a keen sportsman and had never been one for going out and having too much alcohol.

Brennan had been to a friend's house and had had six glasses of his friend's father's home-brewed beer. He did not realise the strength of it and believed he was fit to drive.

Mr Irlam said the offence was an isolated lapse, there would be no repetition and Brennan apologised to the court.