A MAN has lost his licence for the second time for crashing his car after drinking four pints of beer and a shot of Sambuca.

Steven David Haggarty, of Skelwith Bridge near Ambleside, smashed his red Peugeot 207 into a wall on the A591 at Windermere just after midnight on July 15 this year, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.

The 36-year-old admitted to officers that he had consumed four pints, a half pint and a shot of Sambuca after driving from Ambleside to Windermere, the court was told.

Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said police were called to the accident where they asked the defendant to conduct a mandatory roadside breath test for analysis.

Mr Dacre said Haggarty was arrested after he provided a first reading of 58 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath.

He said that reading dropped to 52 micrograms by the time the defendant provided another sample in police custody. The limit is 35.

The court heard the defendant also had a previous drink driving conviction from 2019.

Haggarty, who chose not to be legally represented on July 29, addressed magistrates and explained the reason for his offending.

He told magistrates: “I hold my hands up. I was showing off, took a corner too fast and crashed into a wall.

“I have children and I travel to Scarborough to see them at the weekends. I will just have to use public transport now.”

Magistrates imposed the minimum disqualification of 36 months and fined Haggarty £323.

He was also ordered to pay a £129 surcharge and £85 in court costs.