A BMW rally team mechanic has left his dream career in tatters after crashing his car while over the drink-drive limit.
Stephen Waugh got behind the wheel after having a few pints in a pub with his brother but smashed into a wall while driving home in Northumberland.
The 25-year-old, who had travelled around the world attending to BMW rally cars, suffered injuries to his face during the accident and was initially taken to hospital but refused treatment.
However, he was arrested soon after due to failing a roadside breath test.
Waugh, of High Edge Cottage, Haydon Bridge, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
Prosecutor Rehana Haque said police were called to North Bank, in Haydon Bridge, at around 12.50am on November 28 after reports a car had crashed into a dry stone wall.
"A BMW had significant damage and there was debris on the road," Ms Haque added.
"Present was a middle-aged man. He was standing with two males, later identified as his sons."
The court heard that one of the sons was Waugh, who admitted driving, while the other was a passenger.
Officers could see that Waugh had blood coming from his nostril and swelling to his nose.
After being taken to hospital and refusing treatment, Waugh was arrested and gave a breath test reading of 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35.
Matthew Purvis, defending, said Waugh had been returning to Haydon Bridge from work in order to see his parents but had decided to stop off at a pub to have some food and a few drinks with his brother.
"He had been employed by the BMW rally team as a mechanic and had travelled around the world last year," Mr Purvis said.
"As a consequence of this decision to drive, he's no longer got that employment."
Mr Purvis said Waugh, who has no previous convictions, had lost his "dream" work because of a foolish decision.
Waugh was fined £200 and banned from driving for 16 months.
