A DRIVER who was depressed after he lost his job and his wife was more than twice the drink-drive limit when he crashed off the road.

Lee Carlin overturned his own Transit van, smashed a telegraph pole and a lamppost and wrote-off another vehicle when he hurtled off Evesham Road, Offenham.

At Worcester Magistrates Court, Carlin, aged 25, of Norval Road, South Littleton, admitted drink driving. A blood test showed he had 165mg in 100ml of blood - the legal limit is 80mg.

The owner of a house in Evesham Road found the overturned van on his driveway at 1am on Friday, October 31.

Marie Watton, prosecuting, said “He found the van lying on its side in his driveway and a man trying to smash the windscreen to get to the driver. He could hear a male voice from inside the van - the man managed to kick the glass out.”

Chris Hilton, defending, said Carlin arrived home to find a letter from employers telling him he was going to lose his job. At about the same time his wife told him she was leaving him and taking their child.

“This caused him to be somewhat upset and depressed,” he said. “He knew his partner and child were not going to be at home when he returned. He knew he was coming home to an empty house.

“He decided he couldn’t bear to be alone in the house and decided to go to a friend’s house where he consumed alcohol and fell asleep.”

When he woke he attempted to drive home.

Mr Hilton said Carlin had sought advice from the Worcestershire Community Alcohol Team.

Carlin was banned from driving for 20 months which will be cut to 15 months if he completes an alcohol rehabilitation course, fined £210, ordered to pay £60 costs and a victim surcharge of £15.