Driver’s car left in hedge at golf club

Mark Lewis’s BMW was found by police embedded in a hedge with its windscreen smashed and airbags deployed at Fairhaven Golf Club.

Golf club member and administrator, Lewis, a 36-year-old project manager, of Longridge Avenue, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 22 months, fined £600 with £85 costs plus £60 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool Magistrates.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said police received a report of a two car collision on Fairhaven Golf Club car park on August 31 about 1am.

Lewis had hit a parked Fiesta belonging to a club employee and his BMW was in a hedge. A breath test showed 88 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit.

Ian Mutch, defending, said his client, who was of previous impeccable character, was walking home when he realised he had left his home keys.

Lewis did not want to wake his wife and children so he went back to his car for them.

Mr Mutch added: “His walking partway home perhaps gave him a false sense of sobriety, as he made the the very stupid decision to drive home because of the lateness of the hour.

“He accepts it was a complete error of judgement.”

Lewis had rung the police to report the accident.