A SOUS chef has been banned from driving after taking to the wheel while twice the legal alcohol limit.

Steve Martin Kuchczynski, of Grange Fell Road, Grange-over-Sands, received a three-year disqualification after committing the offence while making his way to work at The Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite.

The 24-year-old was sentenced at South Lakeland Magistrates' Court after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

MORE TOP STORIES: Lisa Hine, prosecuting, said Kuchczynski's Audi A3 was in collision with another vehicle parked in a lay-by on Lindale Road, Lindale, at 7.55am on January 14.

an accident with another car Officers conducted a positive roadside breath test and took him to a police station where it was found he had 73 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

In mitigation, Peter Grogan said Kuchczynski, who had been working at the Crosthwaite pub since December, had driven home from work the night before at around 10.45pm and had a pint on his way.

The court heard when he got back he had a can of lager and three to four measures of Jack Daniels before going to bed at 2am.

In the morning he left for work and the roads were icy, he added.

He said the defendant's car skidded on ice when he was forced to move across to the left as an oncoming bus had moved across slightly onto the carriageway.

Mr Grogan said Kuchczynski, who has a previous driving offence in 2010, had "no idea" the alcohol would have had an impact on his driving.

The solicitor added: "He has possibly derailed his career".

Kuchczynski was also fined £315, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £31 and court costs of £85.