A DRINK driver crashed into a hospital wall after losing control of his car, a court heard.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, heard Kevin Denman crashed his Hyundai Getz into the wall surrounding Weardale Community Hospital in Stanhope.

Denman, 20, of Moorlands in Dipton near Stanley, County Durham, lost control as he was turning off the A689 at Rose Terrace, the court heard.

Prosecutor David Wood said Denman had a friend in the car when he crashed at about 8.45pm on June 11.

Police were called and Denman took a breath test which found he had 51mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mg.

Mr Wood said Denman told police the steering had felt light as he made the turn with the back of the vehicle going out of control.

John Clish in mitigation said Denman, who admitted drink driving, had been with friends and had drunk two cans of cider.

Mr Clish said the 20-year-old felt fine to drive and the breath test was not “the highest reading the court will come across”.

Denman was fined £260, ordered to pay a further £85 in costs and a £26 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 14 months.