A SPECIALIST engineer for the Army will lose his job as a result of losing his driving license, a court heart today (Wednesday 17).

Mark Sproat, of Wheatbottom, Crook, pleaded guilty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court for driving a motor vehicle when above the legal alcohol limit.

The 21-year-old attracted attention from onlookers when he crashed his Ford Fiesta on the A689 in Bishop Auckland in the early hours of Saturday, September 13.

Lynn Roberts-Ploughman, prosecuting, said: “He admitted to officers that he had had an alcoholic drink an hour or so before.

“The defendant was taken to hospital where he was treated for his injuries and several hours later the alcohol reading was 94mg per 100ml of blood, the legal limit is 80mg.”

David Harris, mitigating, said Sproat had suffered from mental health issues which had resulted in him turning to drink.

“He has been in two unfortunate relationships with women who have not proved successful.

“The army has a zero tolerance for this kind of thing and his role as a specialist engineer requires him to have a license.

“He’s been told if he doesn’t have a licence he will be unable to do his job, and there are no other roles for him.”

District Judge Martin Walker banned Sproat from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay a £200 fine, a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £80.