AN UNEMPLOYED man crashed his car into the front garden of two properties while over twice the legal alcohol limit, a court heard.

Jamie White was driving his BMW 330d car on Red Oak Avenue in Barrow just after midnight on September 8 this year when he caused the collision, prosecutor Lee Dacre said.

South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard police were called as a result of the accident where officers ordered White – aged 34 – to complete a roadside breath test for analysis.

Mr Dacre said the defendant was arrested for driving a motor vehicle above the legal alcohol limit after providing an original reading of 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

He was taken to custody where he provided a higher reading of 78 microgrammes.

The legal drink driving limit is 35 microgrammes.

The court was told White had no previous convictions to his name.

White, who chose not to be legally represented, told magistrates: “I’m unemployed at the moment. My wife is supporting me whilst I look for work.

“I’m dealing with the damage I have caused to the properties through my insurance.

“I could give a sob story but there are people far worse off than me. It is what it is.”

Magistrates considered their sentencing powers for 10 minutes before imposing a 12-month community order.

As part of the order, White is required to complete 40 hours of unpaid work – reduced from 60 hours because of his guilty plea at the first opportunity.

He was also disqualified from driving for 20 months.

However, he was offered the opportunity to complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course which would see the length of his ban reduced by a total of 20 weeks - if completed by November 9 2025.

Magistrates also ordered White to pay mandatory court costs of £85, as well as a £114 surcharge.

No order for compensation was made.