A drunk chef veered off the road into a bunker at Maryport Golf Course, a court has heard.

Eric Dodd, 48, of Barncroft Avenue, Seaton, admitted being twice over the legal drink-drive limit when he crashed his car on the 17th hole.

At a hearing yesterday, magistrates at Workington Magistrates Court banned him from driving for 19 months.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said another driver saw the defendant driving a blue Corsa at speed near the golf course on May 28.

Dodd then veered off the road and onto the golf course green twice before "coming to a stand still in a bunker".

The incident was reported to police and officers "attended the 17th hole", said the prosecutor.

A breath test showed Dodd had 70 mcgms of alcohol in 100 mls of breath. The limit is 35.

Craig Smith, for Dodd, said: "It is a very unfortunate situation. He and his family have been under a great deal of stress."

He said in the past few months, his client's family have suffered a "heavy dose of problems".

Mr Smith said on the morning of the incident, Mr Dodd had received an upsetting phone call at work relating to the one of these issues.

"He was making some sauce, with wine in, and just drank some of the wine," said Mr Smith.

He said his client thought he would be okay as he was not set to drive home until that evening when his shift had finished.

"It didn't turn out that way, as his boss saw he was in a low way and told him to go home," said Mr Smith.

He said his client admitted going off the road. "There was a collision, fortunately no other vehicles were involved," said Mr Smith.

Magistrates ordered him to pay a £230 fine, with £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.