A motorist who downed several pints has been banned from the road after crashing into a hedge less than a mile away from his home.

Manraj Khunkhun, 26, decided he would drive back to Gravesend after a session at the pub, but lost control of his BMW on the way.

A member of the public who spotted the crash, on August 8, called police and ambulance crews.

Khunkhun, of Chalk Road, Gravesend, was not hurt but turned out to be more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

He was charged and admitted drink-driving when he appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court last Wednesday.

When he was given a breath test he gave a reading of 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35

Defending himself, Khunkhun apologised to the court and said he had not been in a great place at the time he committed the offence.

He had no previous convictions.

He told magistrates he'd had a family bereavement and had suffered a relationship breakdown and he'd also had some bad news about his nan.

He added: "It was a mistake, I felt low. But then I felt better and was only a mile away from home, it was a short distance.

"I met a friend at the pub and had a few more and thought I was OK."

Magistrates banned Khunkhun from driving for 18 months and fined him £550.

He was also ordered to pay a £200 victim surcharge and £85 costs.