Telford chef, 19, who hit car after drinking gets driving ban

Ryan Mallon damaged the car when he drove his Fiat Punto into the vehicle in Cranage Crescent, Wellington, on December 14 last year, Telford Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Mr Chris Coughlan, prosecuting, said police were called after a resident heard a loud bang and went to investigate. The 19-year-old, who works as a chef at Telford International Centre, was breathalised and found to have 48 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mr Coughlan said he was interviewed by police and stated he had drifted into the parked car after seeing another car coming towards him. Mallon, of Newdale Halt, Lawley, admitted driving a vehicle when he was above the drink-driving limit.

Miss Jenni Hancocks, mitigating, said Mallon had called the police following the collision. The court heard he had no previous convictions and has a seven-month-old son. She added: "He is incredibly remorseful for his actions."

Handing Mallon a 16-month driving ban, District Judge Nigel Cadbury said: "Driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol is always a serious matter." He was also ordered to pay a £205 fine, £135 costs and £20 victim surcharge.