A DUDLEY drink driver who ploughed his car into the side of another vehicle after downing four pints of cider at a family celebration has avoided time behind bars.

Judge Dean Kershaw told decorator Lee Probin he took the view it was a "one-off" incident adding: "You do not have a drink problem."

Probin had driven off in his car after being involved in a pub dispute over ordered meals when he felt he had been intimidated by staff.

But moments later he crashed into the other vehicle which was in the process of turning right as he drove along Oakham Road, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

He performed what was a "reckless and dangerous" manoeuvre, writing-off both cars and leaving the other driver with heavy bruising, said Edward Soulsby prosecuting.

Probin ran away from the scene but thought better of his actions and returned almost immediately with tests later proving he had more than twice the permitted level of alcohol in his system.

The 34-year-old father-of-one, of Four Winds Road, Dixons Green, admitted driving dangerously and with excess alcohol and he was given a 15 month jail term suspended for 18 months.

He was further disqualified from driving for three years, ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work in the community and to attend a rehabilitation course.

The judge further ruled he must pay £800 compensation to the other driver for his injuries together with £340 court costs.

Judge Kershaw said CCTV taken at the scene revealed Probin must have been driving at "some speed" having decided to get behind the wheel of his car after the drinking session.

Blondelle Thompson, for Probin, said her client had been to a baby shower before going off to the pub and his car was "crushed" in the collision.