A MECHANIC crashed his car into a house after a catalogue of personal problems drove him to drink.

David Harrison, 22, of Fen-by Avenue, Darlington, lost control of his car, causing him to hit a house in Harris Street, in the town, on Saturday, February 8, a court was told.

Darlington magistrates heard that a number of personal issues had affected Harrison in the days beforehand.

His grandmother had died on a Wednesday, he lost his job on the Thursday and on Friday he split up with his girlfriend, the court was told.

Harrison then went drinking on the Friday evening to forget his troubles, but thought he would be safe to drive the next day.

Simon Crowder, prosecuting, said: "There was extensive damage to the side of the house and the defendant was taken to hospital.

"It seems he had driven around the corner, hit the kerb, then lost control of the car and crashed into the house."

Graham Hunsley, defending, said Harrison had not realised that alcohol would have still have been in his system the next afternoon.

Harrison pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, was fined £150 and disqualified for two years. He was also fined £150 and ordered to pay £55 costs for driving without due care and attention.