A TEENAGER crashed his scooter after deciding to ride home when he had drunk five pints of beer.

Jacob Skinner told officers he made his decision after missing his bus home from Whit-church, on the evening of Saturday, March 1 this year.

The 18-year-old left his black Vespa scooter by the side of the B3400 before walking for 25 minutes to his home in Hurstbourne Priors, Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court heard.

Kate Prince, prosecuting, said: “Just after midnight, the police reported that a moped was lying on the side of the road. Officers attended at around 2am and they found the moped, but there was nobody there.

“The registered keeper was Mr Skinner and the officers attended his home address, where he provided a positive breath test.”

Skinner admitted what he did during an interview with the police, saying he had drunk five pints and had missed his bus.

Representing himself in court, jobless Skinner said: “It was a silly mistake.

“I missed the bus and at the time I did not think about walking home at all, and I crashed my bike.”

Presiding magistrate Della Creasy banned Skinner from driving for 17 months, although she said he could take a driving course that would reduce his ban by a quarter.

The teenager was also fined £110, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.