A motorist who had been banned from driving and was caught with a weapon when officers attended the scene of a crash, walked free from court on Friday.

Brian Hope, 28, was behind the wheel when police arrived at the crash scene on July 5.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that he had already been disqualified from driving on two previous occasions and when he was taken to the police station he was found to have a sheath knife with him.

Kathryn Dunn, defending, said Hope had turned to drink after he split from his partner of nine years and was suffering emotional problems.

Mrs Recorder Turner agreed to give him a final chance.

She said: "You come within a whisker of going to prison. The root of your problem seems to be your over-indulgence in alcohol.

"I am told you recognise you have a drink problem and I am prepared on this occasion to give you the benefit of the doubt and benefit of seeking treatment and help.

Hope, of Newburn Court, South Shields, South Tyneside, pleaded guilty to having an article with a blade or point, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and driving while over the limit.

He was sentenced to a community punishment order for 100 hours and a community rehabilitation order for two years. He was disqualified from driving for three years.