A PENSIONER was three times the legal drink-drive limit when he wrote off a £24,000 car he had bought only the day before, a court heard on Tuesday.

The 78-year-old driver drank about one third of a bottle of whisky before driving off, Newton Abbot magistrates were told.

On the way to his home, he swerved to avoid a girl who ran across the road. He then collided with a roadside bench and his brand new car – a black Kia Sportage – was written off.

Ronald Tandy, of South Sands Lodge, South Sands, Salcombe, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and was fined £350, with £85 costs and a £15 surcharge.

Although vowing never to drive again, he was formally banned from the roads for two years. Crown prosecutor Philip Sewell said that the accident occurred on an unnamed road at South Sands on July 9.

Tandy had collided with a bench and some pillars, and when police officers arrived he was already being treated by paramedics.

Tandy was taken to hospital, where he provided an alcohol-blood sample. This was sent to the forensic science service for analysis and showed a reading of 242 milligrammes, a little over three times the legal limit of 80.

During a police interview, he said he had bought his new car the day before. He had also visited his GP that day and was told about a cancer and emphysema condition.

He was concerned about the diagnosis and drank a third of a bottle of whisky before returning home.

Tandy said the accident happened when he saw a little girl run out from a camp site. He swerved sharply to avoid her and struck the bench. Mr Sewell said that Tandy was told during his treatment at hospital that he was suffering from alcohol poisoning.

Sarah Glanville, defending, said that the new car Tandy had bought was a large, powerful vehicle. He had also been to see his doctor that day and was told that he had lung cancer and emphysema in both lungs.

It was a moment of self-pity and depression that led him to visit a local shop and buy a bottle of whisky. He drank it outside the shop and the accident happened while he was driving home. Tandy was taken to hospital and treated for a cracked rib.

The £24,000 car was a write-off and he took it back to the garage.

Ms Glanville said: 'He is not going to buy another car. He has no wish to drive again.'

She said Tandy had been suffering from depression, but was on medication and now dealing with the problem more constructively. She added that Tandy had run a successful consultancy company for many years and retired 15 years ago.