A MAN was caught over the drink-drive limit after drinking with colleagues on his last day at work and then crashing into a lamppost, a court was told.

John Morgan, 52, of Bramble Close, Malvern, appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

He was recorded with 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg – following the incident in Church Road, Malvern, on Friday, February 6.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said: “A member of the public heard a collision and saw a vehicle had struck a lamppost. The driver was still in the vehicle but then made his way home. Officers who attended were able to establish the home address of the driver and went around.

“Mr Morgan said it was his car and roadside tests were positive.”

Mark Lister, defending, said: “On the night in question, it was the last day of Mr Morgan’s employment at a technology company.

“He went out with work colleagues – something which he does not do regularly – and then made the fateful decision to drive home.

“He made admissions to the police that he was the driver and made guilty pleas at the earliest possible occasion.

“Mr Morgan was made redundant and is now claiming job seeker’s allowance.

“The greatest consequence for him – not withstanding his difficulty in finding employment – is his parents. His parents are both elderly and they rely heavily on Mr Morgan, who lives with them. He has no siblings and his parents are entirely dependent on him."

District judge Nigel Cadbury banned Morgan from driving for 17 months and ordered him to pay a £400 fine, £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.