An e-scooter rider who crashed on a busy stretch of road while over the drink-drive limit has been left unable to work after suffering “long-term dizziness”.

Roofer David Hayes spent time in hospital after crashing the electric vehicle in Hartley Road, Cranbrook.

But when the 36-year-old was given a blood test while being treated for his injuries he was found to be over the drink-drive limit.

He gave a reading of 118 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit is 80.

Hayes, of Hartley Lands, Swattenden Lane, Cranbrook, was later charged with drink-driving and driving without insurance.

He admitted both offences when he appeared before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (April 25).

The court heard the incident took place on October 2 last year.

James Nichols, prosecuting, told the court: “An accident occured when he was on his e-scooter.

“In hospital he was given a blood test and gave a reading of 118 in blood.

“He was also not insured to ride it and has a simlar conviction for drink-driving in 2016.”

The court heard Hayes had only purchased the e-scooter two weeks before the crash and claimed he didn’t know he needed insurance to ride it.

However, magistrates also heard there was no possible way he could get insured to drive the vehicle on public roads as there is currently no insurance policy available on the market for e-scooters.

Electric scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

It means rules that apply to motor vehicles also apply to e-scooters – including the need to have a licence, insurance and tax.

The bench were also told Hayes had not been able to work as a roofer since the accident as he now suffered with “long-term dizziness” and spent some time in hospital recovering.

Magistrates told Hayes ignorance was not a defence and fined him £80 for the drink-driving offence and banned him from the road for three years as it was his second drink-driving offence within 10 years.

Hayes was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and £85 costs.

He received no separate penalty for the no insurance offence but his licence was endorsed.