A CHARD man who made “the most stupid decision of his life” when he drove home after a drink with friends has paid for his actions with an 18 month driving ban.

Jamie Lillington lost control of his car in the early hours of the morning, colliding with a parked car and shunting it onto the pavement.

The force of the collision set off his airbags and when the police were called to the scene they found the defendant on his driveway, confused and staggering around while covered in blood from the impact.

The 21-year-old, of South Chard, pleaded guilty to driving a Landrover vehicle at Chard on June 16 after consuming excess alcohol at Somerset Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Lindsey Baker said that Lillington was driving his car on Forton Road in Chard shortly before 4am when he collided with a parked vehicle.

“He did not alert the owner but walked back to his address and a member of the public called the police,” she said.

“When officers attended they found the defendant stood on his driveway and he was staggering, unable to walk in a straight line and had blood on his face and shirt.

“He smelt of alcohol and had glazed eyes and also had the keys to the Landrover and said he was in the car on his own.”

Lillington was taken to hospital by the police and a blood sample was taken which revealed a reading of 146mlg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mlg of alcohol.

When he was later interviewed he gave a prepared statement and admitted drink driving and colliding with the other vehicle.

Defending solicitor Neil Priest said the defendant was very remorseful and ashamed of what he had done saying that he had been out drinking in Chard and was planning on getting a taxi home.

“His walk home took him past his car and he made the most stupid decision of his life and drove instead,” he said.

“He was not trying to evade the police afterwards and did wait at the scene but had gone home to ask his parents what to do.

“He also suffered a head injury which may have accounted for his demeanour at the scene.”

The court heard that Lillington had worked as a mechanic since leaving school and the disqualification would have a real impact on that business.

“He is a young man of good character and discovered that his insurance company will not pay up for the £5,000 damage to his car,” he said.

Chair of the magistrates Judy Watson told Lillington he had paid a heavy price for this huge mistake.

They banned him from driving for 18 months and fined him £240 with £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.