Drink-driver crashed into wall at Keswick Wetherspoons beer garden

Police received a phone call at 12.20am on January 8 from the manager of Wetherspoons in Keswick, who said that a vehicle had crashed into a wall at the beer garden.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting at, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard, said it was passed over the police airwaves that the male responsible had left the scene.

Officers located the driver, Aiden Halstvedt, 24, at the front door of the premises. He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 78mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

He was arrested and taken to the police station, where he gave a reading of 68mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Halstvedt was interviewed by police and stated there was a misunderstanding about the car being moved.

He stated after the crash, he had a plastic bottle which he filled with vodka and coke. He said he was “shaken up” and drank it after the crash.

Halstvedt said he had moved the car into the car park behind Wetherspoons. He admitted driving the car from one car park to the other.

He said he has autism and after the crash, he had to get away from all the people “freaking out”.

Ms Fee said the defendant had no previous convictions.

Halstvedt, of Wyndford Road, Castlecary, Bonnybridge, North Lanarkshire, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with alcohol level above the limit.

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The defendant, who had no legal representation and appeared in court via video link, said:  “I would just like to say, I’m fully accepting it was my mistake. I would like to apologise.

“I’m fully accepting what I have done.

“I know how stupid or dangerous it could have been. I’m glad nobody was injured or even killed.”

Halstvedt was banned from driving for 18 months, to be reduced by 18 weeks if he completes the drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course.

He was fined £120 and must pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.