A DRINK-DRIVER was going ‘too fast’ when his car collided with a bridge, causing the vehicle to roll, a court heard.

Cameron Bland, 23, was driving a white Ford Fiesta on Castlegate Drive in Cockermouth at 2.30am on August 4 when his vehicle collided with St Helen’s Bridge.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said the defendant had been on a night out in Cockermouth and had consumed alcohol.

Bland provided a positive breath sample at the roadside. While speaking to a relative, he was heard making admissions to the offence.

He was taken to the police station where he gave a reading of 78mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

During police interview, he accepted that he had committed the offence. He said he had been out in Cockermouth and had originally intended to get the bus but ‘changed his plans’. He said he was driving too fast and collided with the bridge.

Bland, who was not legally represented, said: “I just made a genuine mistake. I shouldn’t have driven. I’m just glad nobody was hurt. I will never do that again.”

The defendant, of Yew Tree Farm, Rosthwaite, Keswick, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with alcohol level above the limit.

Passing sentence, Andrew Dale, chair of the magistrates’ panel, said: “You collided with a bridge. Needless to say that could have been a person.”

Bland was banned from driving for 20 months, to be reduced by 20 weeks, if he completes the drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course.

He was fined £525 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £210 victim surcharge.