A LEARNER driver smashed into a neighbour s house after celebrating the birth of his child with friends. Lysanda Madzinga, 29, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a full licence and drink driving when he appeared at Stevenage Mag

A LEARNER driver smashed into a neighbour's house after celebrating the birth of his child with friends.

Lysanda Madzinga, 29, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a full licence and drink driving when he appeared at Stevenage Magistrates' Court last Thursday.

Madzinga, of Gordian Way in Stevenage, was banned from driving for 12 months. He was fined £830 and ordered to pay costs of £70.

The court heard he lost control of his Rover on Sunday, February 26, close to his home after taking friends back to Luton.

During a police interview he admitted having "a few pints of beer" with friends while celebrating the birth of his child.

Kirsty Walker, prosecuting, told the court police officers were called to Gordian Way in Stevenage at 6.15am.

They found a Rover embedded in the front of a house. Madzinga was arrested and taken to Stevenage police station.

A breath test showed he had 53mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

He has a full driving licence for Zimbabwe but only a provisional licence for the UK. He was due to take his driving test in the next few weeks.

Alan Taylor, representing Madzinga, said his client is a doctor who has been in the UK 18 months.

Mr Taylor said: "He has just made a very silly mistake.