A VOLUNTEER paramedic has been banned from driving after crashing his girlfriend’s car following a boozy night out.

Sean McParland was heading home when the Fiat 500 he was driving was in a crash with a BMW in Elmstead Road, Colchester.

The police arrived and both motorists gave full details, however they noticed McParland was slurring his words.

He accepted he had drunk three pints of beer.

A roadside breath test showed he was over the limit and he was arrested for drink driving.

Checks at the police station also showed he did not have insurance to drive the Fiat.

Officers attempted to administer a breath test but McParland, who is a second year computer science student at Essex University, failed to keep his breathing consistent enough.

He was able to give one sample which showed he had 64mcgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35.

But police need two to ensure consistency.

Despite being given seven opportunities to give another breath sample, McParland could not.

He admitted failing to provide a sample and driving without insurance during an appearance at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Simon Collingham, mitigating, said it was completely out of character for McParland, 21, of Mascot Square, Colchester.

He added he volunteers for Proparamedics - an independent ambulance service in Belfast - who themselves may end up caring for people injured as the result of drink driving.

Magistrates banned McParland from driving for 16 months. He was also fined £120 and must pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.