A MAN who denied being over double the drink drive limit when he crashed his quad bike during an accident in Chard claimed he had drunk after the crash and not before.

Philip Hodges, 64, of Middle Stout Farm, Yarcombe, appeared before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge that on January 22 at Bishopswood, Chard, he drove a Suzuki quad bike on Main Street after consuming excess alcohol.

The charge detailed that a breath test conducted by the police resulted in a reading of 79mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol.

However he admitted two further offences of using the quad bike without insurance and not in accordance with a licence on the same date.

The court heard that the defendant claimed he had drunk alcohol after the collision and not before.

Following a review of the denied matter the magistrates adjourned the case until March 20 when Hodges was ordered to return to the court.

Until his next court appearance he was released on unconditional bail.