A drunk driver crashed into a tree and became trapped in his damaged car, a court heard.

Jermaine Lightbourne, 24, had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system when the accident happened in Middle Road, Southampton, on Saturday, November 25, Magistrates’ Court was told yesterday.

Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney said Lightbourne came off the road and hit the tree, causing serious damage to his vehicle.

Lightbourne, of Coral Acres Drive, Southampton, had to be cut free by Bermuda Fire Service. Police then noticed he was unsteady on his feet and his breath smelled of alcohol.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment to injuries he sustained in the crash. At the hospital, the defendant gave a breath test, which revealed 173 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams.

Lightbourne pleaded guilty to driving while impaired through alcohol, and was fined $1,000 by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner. He was also banned from driving all vehicles for 12 months.