A double decker bus driver crashed into a brick wall and was found slumped over the steering wheel after drinking a bottle of vodka, a court heard today.
Christopher Wattam, 35, was twice the drink-drive limit during the midnight collision while operating the route 131 bus, which fortunately had no passengers on board.
He received twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and was banned from the roads for thirty-four months.
Wattam, of Aragon Road, Morden pleaded guilty to driving the bus in Worple Road, Colliers Wood on April 12 with excess alcohol in his breath.
He had 69 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard it was approximately eight minutes past midnight when police were called to reports of a crash involving a bus.
On arrival they saw the double-decker had collided with a wall outside a block of flats, scattering bricks and rubble around the vehicle.
There was damage to the bus, particularly the front bumper on the drivers’ side and the windscreen was shattered.
Paramedics attended to Wattam, who was slumped over the wheel and threw up.
He later admitted he had consumed a bottle of vodka.
The court heard Wattam was anxious about driving and dealing with passengers during the COVID 19 pandemic, but was making progress with his issues.
A spokesperson for his employer Go-Ahead London confirmed Wattam was sacked five days after the incident and a report sent to the Traffic Commissioner.
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