A man has been banned from driving for 60 months after crashing his car into a bin lorry while over the drink drive limit.

Gary Atkins, 33, of Gyllyngdune Gardens in Ilford, appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Tuesday (August 25) charged with driving his Jaguar S Type vehicle while over the limit.

He was found to have 147 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood following the crash in Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey on February 11.

He was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow in a serious condition after obtaining head and chest injuries.

Two charges of driving without due care and attention and driving other than in accordance with a licence were both withdrawn.

Atkins, who pleading guilty to the drink drive offence, was ordered to pay a £400 fine, a £40 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

He was also disqualified from driving until August 25 2020.