A YOUNG man who crashed his father’s company car while more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit has been banned from driving.

Richard Wallbridge, 20, must not get behind the wheel for the next 20 months, magistrates have ruled.

Wallbridge, of Singlewell Road, Gravesend, appeared at Dartford Magistrates' Court for sentencing. He had previously pleaded guilty to taking his father’s car without permission, driving it without insurance or a licence and while under the influence of alcohol.

Lisa Brown, prosecuting, said Wallbridge’s father had left the car secure and gone to bed.

“At 2.10am on September 22 last year the car was involved in a road traffic accident. It demolished some railings and then collided with a parked car. Both vehicles were written off as a result,” she told the court.

Gurnam Mander, representing Wallbridge in court, said his client took his father’s car without permission and knows how foolish his actions were.

Magistrates imposed a 60-hour community penalty for taking the vehicle and disqualified Wallbridge for 20 months.

He was also fined £100 for driving without a licence and £200 for driving without insurance.

A concurrent 60-hour community penalty and 20-month disqualification was given for drink driving and Wallbridge must also pay £64 court costs.