A DRUNK driver crashed at a McDonald’s drive-thru late at night, a court has been told.

Christopher Bishop had driven to the Chippenham branch of McDonald’s late at night last month, where he ended up crashing and parked halfway up a verge.

Prosecutors also say he hit a lamppost.

Bishop, who works in traffic management, was banned from driving for three years after he admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath.

Prosecuting, Pauline Lambert said that police were called to the restaurant on Bath Road at 10.30pm on June 12 after reports that a drink driver had collided with a lamppost.

When they arrived, they saw no damage to the lamppost or a car.

She said officers approached Bishop, who was being “argumentative and obstructive”, before eventually failing a roadside breath test. He blew 107 – just over triple the drink-drive limit.

Ms Lambert said the 49-year-old was “obstructive and argued with everything” when taken to the police station to provide an evidential sample.

“He continued with this demeanour until the machine almost ran out [of time], and then made the most pathetic attempt.

“He told officers ‘f*** your machine’ and failed to provide any further specimen of breath.”

Bishop had a previous conviction for drink driving in 2017 and so was subject to a mandatory disqualification of three years.

Defending, Liz Highams said the prosecution had no evidence that his driving standard was low, and that the lamppost and car were “in conjunction of each other” and “there is no damage on either”.

“The offence is failing to provide,” she said. “I would say there is no evidence of a driving impairment.”

She added there was no evidence her client was warned that he could be prosecuted if he refused to provide a sample of breath, and added: “This is scruffy prosecuting from the police. It’s a point that needs to be made.”

“Mr Bishop has no recollection of the event.”

The defendant was “quite adamant” that he had been drink driving, but said “the only explanation is his drink was spiked”.

Ms Highams added her client would lose his job and possibly his accommodation.

Sentencing, District Judge Joanna Dickens credited the defendant for pleaded guilty “when the evidence isn’t the strongest”, but said not providing a specimen of breath is “unfair”.

Bishop, of Stanton Lane in Kington St Michael, can reduce his three-year ban by completing the drink drive awareness course.

He was fined £200, and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £34 victim surcharge.