A motorist crashed his car into a tree and then fell asleep at the wheel after downing wine at a party.

John Wilson smashed his vehicle into the tree in Greenway Court Road, Maidstone, during the early hours of August 4.

The 23-year-old who suffered bruising to his chest in the crash and was still sitting in the driver’s seat asleep when police were called to the scene.

Wilson, of Pilgrims Way, Lenham, Maidstone, failed a breath test and was later charged with being in charge of a vehicle while over the drink-drive limit.

He admitted the offence when he appeared in the dock at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on March 3.

Sidumiso Moyo, prosecuting, told the court: “He was found in the car by the police officers after a road traffic crash.

“He had crashed his car into a tree on the corner of a road and a passerby called Kent Police.

“Because there had been a crash, the police got him to do a roadside breath test and he gave a reading of 71 milligrammes so he was arrested on suspicion of driving while over the limit.

“The police officers then searched his car and found the keys and he was taken to hospital (to get checked over) and two samples of blood were taken.

“He’s of previous good character.”

The court also heard Wilson had suffered trauma previously when he found his father dead and had tried in vain to resuscitate him which had a profound effect on him.

Magistrates were told that the crash happened near the one-year anniversary of his dad’s death after he’d been invited to a party.

He had drunk some wine and was emotional. He regretted what had happened.

The court also heard the car he crashed, which was a write-off, had belonged to his late father .He was working in a pub near his home and he could walk there.

Magistrates told him he was lucky no one else was injured during the smash and they said they were placing 10 points on his licence.

They also fined him £166 and ordered he pay a victim surcharge of £66 and £85 court costs.

It is understood the DVLA will revoke his licence when they are informed of the new 10 points and that he would have to take an extended retest if he wanted to drive again.

It was not revealed in court why his licence would be revoked by the driving agency but usually this is done because someone has amassed 12 or more points or is a newly qualified driver.