MAGISTRATES banned a window cleaner from driving for 18 months after he backed into a parked car after an evening out and drove off.

Prosecutor Pauline Lambert said police were called to the Woodlands Edge pub sometime after 12.30am on January 27 after witnesses reported seeing a man reverse his van into a parked car belonging to one of the members of staff.

It then drove off. The officers then went to Goodwin’s home where he opened the door.

He was later breathalysed at the police station where the lowest reading was 81 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 of breath - twice the legal limit of 35.

Michael Goodwin, of Furze Close, Peatmoor, admitted drink driving and failing to stop after an accident.

His solicitor, Gordon Hotson, said Goodwin had been driving his works van and was unaware that the collision had happened. He had driven the short distance home where he and his partner had had another drink.

He had never been arrested before for anything and was in a state when he was interviewed by police the next morning and failed to mention the drink at home. However he accepted the alcohol reading in the charge was the lower one recorded.

For 35 years Goodwin had worked as a window cleaner for a commercial firm. His boss was aware of the court case and although it was likely his employment would be affected, he was hopeful that he would not be sacked.

The magistrates also ordered him to pay a total of £360 in fines and court costs.