A DRINK-driver wrote a letter of apology to the Duke of Wellington estate after driving a car into undergrowth.

Stephen Hall’s Audi car was found abandoned in a hedge on the A33 Basingstoke Road, near the roundabout by the entrance to Wellington Country Park, in the early hours of March 8 this year, Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court heard.

Police officers found the 24-year-old walking further along the road after a call from a member of the public, and Hall admitted to what had happened, David Fosler, prosecuting, said.

He was taken to Basingstoke police station where he recorded an alcohol level of 90microgrammes in 100millitres of breath, more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Chantal Heneghan, defending, said Hall had written a letter of apology to the Duke of Wellington estate, and that his insurance was covering the cost of the damage to the estate’s hedge.

Mrs Heneghan said Hall had been due to stay with a friend that night after going out.

She said: “He has no idea whatsoever why he made the grave error of judgment.”

Hall, an account manager from Dryden Close, Thatcham, Berkshire, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with excess alcohol and was fined £400, with £85 costs and £40 victim surcharge, and banned him from driving for 18 months.