Ricky Watson, 30, of Filsham Road, St Leonards, appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court last week pleading guilty to charges of aggrevated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol and driving without insurance.

The court heard that time-share salesman Watson had been at a family reunion at the Hollington Oak pub on December 22.

Mark Kateley, prosecuting, said: "His brother's girlfriend was there and Ricky wanted to borrow her BMW car.

"She thought he was not being serious but she later noticed Ricky had disappeared and her keys had gone.

"The next thing she knew was when she learned he had driven the car into a wall in Ashford Road, causing £5,000 of damage.

"He was found to have an alcohol breath reading of 91mg - the legal limit is 35mg.

"He suffered a head injury in the crash but said he could not remember crashing the car."

Samantha Wingfield, defencing, said: "He very much regrets his actions.

"He is a salesman leading a transient life and had not seen his family for years.

"He does not remember the accident at all."

Magistrate chairman Godfrey Daniel said: "There was a high potential risk to other road users and pedestrians. You yourself did not know what was happening, which says it all."

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for community reports but warned Watson they were keeping all their options open.