A MAN has been banned from driving after he ploughed into a couple’s bungalow when he was more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Stephen Everett left a trail of destruction when he smashed his Fiat Punto into Ronald and Beatrice Casbolt’s bathroom after a drinking session at Oakmead Social Club, in Point Clear, on May 31 this year.

Yesterday, at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, the 49-year-old, of Eastern Promenade, St Osyth, admitted drink driving, driving without insurance and not driving in accordance with his licence.

Fiona Hardman, prosecuting, said Everett was less than a mile from the social club when he careered into the Casbolt’s driveway and hit their Vauxhall Astra, pushing it into a pile of bricks stacked on their driveway.

He then hit the bungalow, damaging the front wall and dislodging tiles on the bathroom wall inside.

The court heard firefighters had to cut Everett from the car. He was taken to Colchester General Hospital where a blood test showed he had 162mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – more than twice the legal limit of 80mg.

Police also discovered he had no insurance, and a provisional licence had expired in 1983.

Magistrates were also told Everett had previously been banned from driving in 2007.

Everett, who represented himself, said he did not remember a thing from that night, but added he was sorry for his actions and the damage caused.

He was banned from driving for three years, fined £100 and ordered to pay £300 in compensation, £70 in legal costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Mr Casbolt, speaking after the hearing, said he was disappointed with the compensation awarded.

He said: “I have lost a lot of money because of him. There was £10,000 damage to the house front, the car was a write off, and my insurance company has even raised my £200 excess.

“I’m the loser, and it was not my fault.”