A MOTORIST who crashed his car while desperately attempting to avoid hitting an escaped sheep has admitted driving while unfit through drink.

Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court heard how 64-year-old Eric Peacock got into trouble on June 6 after police responded to an accident on a narrow country road at Winskill, near Penrith. The defendant’s Renault mobility car crashed into a wall.

“The car had overturned on to its roof,” prosecutor John Moran explained.

“The only person in the car was Mr Peacock, the driver; and because of the accident he had to go to hospital.” While he was there, he consented to blood being taken and the reading - 227mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of blood - was almost three times the legal limit.

Mr Moran confirmed that Peacock had no previous convictions. The lawyer said the offence was aggravated by the fact that there was an accident and by the high blood alcohol reading.

Kamran Yousaf, for Peacock, said the defendant had been driving to a local shop to buy cigarettes and was only between 60 and 70 metres from his home when he crashed.

Describing the accident, Mr Yousaf said: “The road he was driving on becomes a narrow, single-track road with a grass verge on the left hand side behind a tree stump. He lives in a rural location, where it’s common for sheep to escape from fields.

“He slowed down to allow the sheep to come off the verge to avoid hitting it.”

Aware of the roadside tree stump but wanting to avoid hitting the sheep, Peacock reacted. The lawyer said: “In doing that, he grabbed the steering wheel and steered away. He made every attempt to correct his steering.” As he did this, his car hit the bank and overturned. No other vehicles were involved.

“Had it not been for him wanting to avoid hitting the sheep the accident wouldn’t have happened,” said the lawyer. Peacock sustained slight injuries.

The lawyer said Peacock had been driving for almost 45 years. “He’s normally a careful and conscientious driver; and he’s never even had a parking ticket in the past.”

The defendant drank vodka earlier in the day but did not believe he was over the limit. A man of previous good character, he has various health problems.

These include depression, angina and osteoporosis. He was also a carer for his wife, who depended on him driving her to regular hospital appointments. Mr Yousaf added: “He’s extremely remorseful, sorry and embarrassed.”

District Judge Gerald Chalk said: “It’s a real shame to see you before the court at all.

“Nonetheless, there was an accident and a very high reading – nearly three times the legal limit for alcohol.” He imposed an eight week overnight curfew. The judge added: “It’s meant to be a restriction on your time; it’s meant to be a burden; and it’s meant to be a punishment.” If a medical emergency arises, then the defendant could go to hospital during the hours of his curfew. Peacock was banned for 24-months and offered the drink driver rehabilitation course.

He must pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.