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."