A pensioner drove through a farm yard and crashed into an out-building after drinking half a bottle of whisky, a court has heard.

Charles Stanley Blackburn, aged 76, of 26 Parkhill Road, Prenton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.

Nick Newton, prosecuting, told the court that police were called to a single car collision near Mwnt at 5pm on September 27.

Blackburn was found with a bloody face, trapped in his Ford Focus, which had left the road and travelled 70 metres across a farm yard before colliding with a brick out-building.

Officers at the scene noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from the car, and Blackburn was found to have 90mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when taken to the police station, the legal limit is 35mg.

He told police he had consumed about half a bottle of whiskey at about 10.30am, drinking it with water at various locations in the Cardigan area.

He admitted driving, but could not remember the accident.

Alan Lewis, defending, said his client was previously of completely clean character, and was embarrassed to make his first court appearance at the age of 76.

Mr Lewis said: “He has been under a lot of pressure of the last couple of months, which he has been unable to deal with.”

He added: “He thought the alcohol would have worn off during the course of the day.”

The court heard that Blackburn and his wife had visited the west Wales area for the last 40 years. He had recently been diagnosed with depression, and was receiving counselling.

Mr Lewis said his client had contacted the property’s owner about damage caused by the collision, and had already sent £3,482.82 to pay for repairs.

Magistrates fined Blackburn £365 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £36.50 victim surcharge.

He was disqualified from driving for 23 months.