A schoolboy at his leaver's ball got behind the wheel, collided with a car and drove home while over the alcohol limit, a court heard yesterday.
Alexander Jenner, 18, who attends City of London Freemen's School, was banned from driving for 14 months and fined £100 after pleading guilty to drink driving.
South East Surrey Magistrates' Court heard that Jenner, from Ashtead, was involved in a collision in his school car park just before 1am on Saturday, May 25.
Defence lawyer Patrick Martin said he had planned to get a taxi home but went to fetch his jacket from the car and decided to move it into a better parking position.
Mr Martin said his car collided with a car driven by a friend's mother, adding: "He made a foolish error under these circumstances by driving home to Crampshaw Lane."
He said Jenner's mother died a month ago and he acted as a taxi service for his two brothers because his father was often away for work.
Mr Martin said: "He has been under a number of pressures recently. He is contrite and he knows he has made a mistake."
Magistrate Jane Hargrave told Jenner, who was wearing a striped tie and blazer, that his ban could be reduced by 14 weeks on completion of a drink driving course.
She said: "You took the wrong decision but it does not mean you have to be a criminal for the rest of your life. Put it behind you and move on."
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