POLICE watched from the far side of the river as a drink-driver went the wrong way along the one-way section of Spalding’s Double Street towards High Bridge.
George Tyrell (22), of Sutton Crosses, Long Sutton, had been to a friend’s funeral that day and was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.
The offence on December 13 cost Tyrell a three-year driving ban at Spalding Magistrates’ Court because it was his second drink-drive within ten years.
He was also fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 costs with a £15 victim surcharge.
Presiding magistrate Linda Dowson told Tyrell: “This is your second offence and it is affecting your life in a great way.
“I am sure you realise that.”
Tyrell pleaded guilty to driving with 77 microgrammes of alcohol in breath. The legal limit is 35mgs.
Prosecutor John Mitchell said police were in Churchgate at 9.35pm when they saw Tyrell’s BMW going the wrong way along Double Street towards High Bridge.
He continued along London Road and then turned into Vine Street.
Solicitor Rachel Stevens, mitigating, said: “As far as the driving incident is concerned, there is no mitigation.
“He turned into the one-way street by mistake but thought it was safer to continue rather than turn around and create a hazard in that way.”
Miss Stevens said he drinks very little nowadays but had been to a friend’s funeral that day.
He consumed some alcohol and it had affected his judgement.
His last drink-drive conviction was five years ago.