A FATHER has been banned from driving for 40 months after crashing into a lamp post after a festive night out.

Scott Friend, 29, of Caxton Close, Tiptree, admitted one charge of drink-driving and another of using threatening, abusive words or behaviour at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

He had crashed his Ford Fiesta into a light in Maldon Road in the village.

After being arrested, he was in the hospital waiting room swearing and being “aggressive”, the court heard.

Kathy Wilson, prosecuting, said: “Just before 12.40am on December 22, officers were patrolling in Tiptree and saw the vehicle at the side of the road.

“They also saw Friend walking towards the vehicle and then standing next to it.

“As the airbags had activated, the officers took him to hospital.

“Whilst waiting at the hospital he told the officers he had been drink-driving and also became argumentative.

“He repeatedly shouted, including the f-word, and he was told on several occasions to not use that language.”

Friend was found to have 59mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

He had 13 previous convictions for 24 offences.

Ralph Pigott, mitigating, said the incident was “out of character” as his client had begun to turn his life around after a troubled past.

“On this occasion, his friends from work had been out to a Christmas meal and he attended and drank a couple of beers and a Jack Daniels and coke,” he said. “He did not realise he could not drink quite like he used to.

Magistrates banned Friend from driving for 40 months and ordered him to pay £437 in fines and costs.