LESS than a year after passing his test Kieran John Taylor's driving career came to a crashing end.

Blackburn magistrates heard that he collided with railing at the entrance to a car park in Queensway, Clitheroe, and when breathalysed gave a positive reading.

And just days before appearing in court for drink driving he received a bill for £1,300 for the repair of the railings.

Taylor, 18, of Lindon Drive, Clitheroe, an apprentice joiner, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and was fined £160, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £55 costs. He agreed to be referred to the drink drivers' rehabilitation course through which he can reduce his disqualification by 25 per cent.

Debbie Jameson, defending, said Taylor's car had been written off in the crash which was proving to be a costly episode.

She said that Taylor remained adamant that while in a public house he had only drunk half a pint of lager.

"There is a suspicion of spiking of drinks but he cannot put it any higher than that and accepts his guilt," said Mrs Jameson.

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