A TEENAGE driver who hit two cars and injured a woman while drunk behind the wheel has been ordered to do unpaid work.

A TEENAGE driver who hit two cars and injured a woman while drunk behind the wheel has been ordered to do unpaid work.

Andrew Hedger of St Peters Close, in Charsfield, appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court for sentencing for drink driving, failing to stop when ordered by a police constable and two counts of failing to stop after an accident. He pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing.

The court heard Hedger had been drinking in a Woodbridge pub on November 20 before driving over during the evening to see friends in Melton.

Prosecuting solicitor Gareth Davies said Hedger was driving a blue Peugeot around a car park in the village when he hit a VW car which in turn knocked into a 42-year-old woman injuring her knee.

He said: “The car was pushed sideways and the vehicle hit her knew and knocked her off balance. She noted the registration number and noticed the driver appeared to take some time selecting forward gear.”

The court heard Hedger went on to damage a parked green Rover in Churchman Close.

Mr Davies said police tried to stop hedger at some traffic lights but he accelerated away and drove on to the other side of the carriage way. He was eventually stopped shortly afterwards.

Mr Davies said: “A breath test proved positive. The reading showed 122 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - more than three times the prescribed limit.”

Mitigating Roger Thomson said his client had acted out of character and handed the bench a number of character references.

He said: “He was clearly drunk. He is a 19-year-old man with no previous convictions. He is very shocked at what he has done and remorseful. I think he has learned from what has happened. I don't think he will be back in court again.”

Chairman of the bench Fanella Blastland ordered Hedger be made the subject of a community order with a requirement for 240 hours of unpaid work and a 12 month supervision requirement.

He was banned from driving for 30 months to be reduced by seven months on competition of a drink drive rehabilitation course. He was also ordered to pay £55 costs.

She added: “You drove for a long period of time with very high levels of alcohol.”