A MAN arrested for drink-driving after “toasting” the memory of his dead father was today (Tuesday December 11) given a two-year driving ban.

Graham Beck, 24, pleaded guilty at Consett Magistrates’ Court to driving with 108mg in 100ml of breath – three times over the drink drive limit.

David Bryson, prosecuting, said police officers were driving on the A692 when they were overtaken by a Peugeot driving by Beck, near Dipton, in County Durham, at 1.50am on Saturday November 24.

He was stopped and arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Kate Duncan, mitigating said: “He (Beck) has not been in court before and it has had a devastating effect on him. He has shown genuine remorse.”

She added: “Two weeks before his arrest his father passed away. On the day (he was arrested) he was drinking to toast his father.

“He has had a hard couple of months with the death of his father, which has had an impact on his emotional welfare.”

Passing sentence, District Judge Adrian Lower, said: “I understand there was a background to you committing the offence.

“You have not been in trouble before and you do not strike me as anyone who tends to misuse alcohol or acts impulsively.

“Nevertheless, you must recognise that by driving when you have had far too much to drink you are putting other road users at risk, let alone yourself - and the consequences of that could be tragic.”

Beck of Parkside, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, was made the subject of a 12-month community order 100 hours of unpaid community work. He was also ordered to pay £145 in costs and victim surcharge.