A PENSIONER was four times over the legal drink-drive limit when he crashed into a house.

David Collins, 68, of Leigh Sinton Road, Malvern Link, had 142mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the limit is 35mcg – when he smashed his Kia Rio into the home’s front room, a court was told.

The occupants of the property, who were watching television in the conservatory, heard a “massive boom” before realising they had narrowly dodged death.

Collins pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court Friday, November 27 and was banned from driving for 34 months.

Magistrates considered sending him to jail but instead sentenced him to 16 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said: “Police received reports that a vehicle had driven into a house, causing extensive damage and smashing the lounge window.

“On arrival one occupant was still in the car, sitting in the passenger seat. He confirmed it was his vehicle.

“Officers could smell that he was intoxicated and he failed a roadside test, which showed 142mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

“In interview Mr Collins admitted he was the driver. He said that he started drinking whisky with his nephew but could not remember how much he had drunk before attempting the short drive back home.

“He recalled going up the curb and then being out of control.”

The crash took place in Lower Interfields, off Leigh Sinton Road, at 9.30pm on Monday, November 9.

Waleed Khan, defending, said: “Mr Collins has never been before the court or police in all of his 68 years.

“He is a man of previous good character and has led a very respectable life until now.

“It was completely out of character for him to commit this offence. He has held a licence since 1965 and has never driven under the influence before – he would always call a taxi or a friend for a lift if he was drinking.

“On this occasion though he went to visit his brother’s son.

“The defendant lost his brother two years ago and his sister-in-law died two weeks prior to the incident.

“As an uncle he went to see his nephew. They were both grieving and started drinking whisky.

“Mr Collins accepts it was the wrong thing to do. His judgement was so impaired that did not realise he should not drive.

“He got involved in an accident and luckily no-one was injured.

“Any damage caused will be covered by the insurance.

“The hardest thing for Mr Collins was to face his wife and his two grown up children – and this has already punished him.

“He is suffering from depression and is feeling isolated after retiring from his job of 50 years.”

Magistrate David Shadwell, chairman of the bench, said: “This was a very serious offence and a high level reading.”

He sentenced Collins to 16 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months, banned him from driving for 34 months and ordered him to complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £135 costs, £150 court charges and an £80 victim surcharge.

The couple whose house was damaged spoke to the Worcester News the day after the crash.

Barrie Edwards said he was “in shock” from the “scary” incident while his partner Carole Rhead said she heard a “massive boom” and then “sobbed” when she saw “a car literally sticking through the front room window”.

She added: “If we hadn’t been watching television in the conservatory we would have been killed. I’m sure of it.”