A DRINK driver was reported to the police after witnesses saw him stumbling on a street in Penrith before getting into his car and almost reversing into a lamppost.

Daniel Beaumont, 37, committed the offence at around 5pm on June 16 as he drove his Dacia Duster car in the town’s Bridge Lane, Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard.

He admitted drink driving. Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the facts.

He said witnesses reported seeing the defendant’s car, after the near miss with the lamppost, swerving into opposite carriageway before continuing into Bridge Lane and again ending up on the wrong side of the road.

“Police located the vehicle in the local Sainsburys car park,” said Mr Shelley.

An initial roadside breath test produced an indication of 78mcg of alcohol in 100mls of breath, slightly over double the 35mcg limit for driving. By the time police administered an evidential test, that reading had risen to 97mcg of alcohol.

The defendant, of Crocus Avenue, Penrith, told the police that he was a recovering alcoholic who had particularly struggled on that particular day.

The court heard that the defendant had a previous drink driving offence on his record, having been prosecuted for the same offence in September of 2021.

He committed the offence in July of that year.

Chris Toms, defending, told magistrates: “The defendant had been out for a drive that day and stopped on his way back close to where he was found. He started drinking.

He has a significant issue with stress and his mental health. “He is seeking treatment for that.

“His stress levels recently were such that he has had to give up his job and is currently working his notice. He is trying to face his alcohol issue.”

After his last conviction, the court heard, Beaumont took a drink driver rehabilitation course. After hearing from a probation officer who interviewed the defendant, magistrates handed Beaumont a 36-month ban.

They also imposed a community order which includes a three-month alcohol treatment programme. The defendant was fined £80 and must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.