A DRIVER who was drunk at the wheel drove into an oncoming car in Worle.

A DRIVER who was drunk at the wheel drove into an oncoming car in Worle.

Paul Marks, aged 32, was driving a Peugeot 106 in Queens Way in January when he collided with an oncoming vehicle, leaving the other driver with pain in his back, neck, leg and hand.

Marks pleaded guilty to one charge of driving with excess alcohol and one charge of possession of a class C drug at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges on Tuesday.

Simon Diaper, prosecuting, said: "The other driver told police he saw the car was on his side of the road and was not overtaking anyone.

"He said 'I thought the driver was suicidal'.

"He drove into the other car, causing severe damage to both vehicles."

When police arrived at the scene and arrested Marks, he was thought to have consumed about eight pints and had 4.7 grams of cannabis hidden inside his sock.

David Playford, defending, said: "He has shown a great deal of remorse and is not used to coming before the courts.

"He told me there was heavy rainfall that night and attributes part of the accident to the weather conditions.

"When he braked the car moved across the road and he could not stop it.

"He says that isn't the sole reason and knows he was over the limit."

When taken to the police station, Marks was found to be over the legal limit and the report showed he had some cannabis derivatives, which could include resin, in his blood as well.

Marks, of Moorfield Road, Backwell, was disqualified from driving for 26 months, fined £250 and ordered to pay £45 costs, £100 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge. For possession of cannabis he was fined £120.