A DRINK driver who narrowly missed a group of people and hit a lamppost said his decision to get behind the wheel was the “worst decision I have made in my life”.

Michael Sadowski admitted his actions could have been “so much worse” when he crashed his car in Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch.

Police were called to the collision in the early hours of August 11, 2019, and the ambulance service also attended.

A roadside breathalyser test came back positive for alcohol but Sadowski was taken to hospital for treatment.

Blood samples were taken at the hospital and, following analysis, it was found that he had 182 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – more than twice the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Sadowksi, who represented himself, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 20.

Prosecuting Nicola Rees said when officers arrived in Lyndhurst Road they found Sadowski’s vehicle had left road and collided with a lamppost.

She told the court the 37-year-old had narrowly missed a group of bystanders in the crash.

Sadowski, of Easton Avenue, Winton, Bournemouth, had been drinking alcohol with friends in the New Milton area in the hours before the incident, the court heard.

Ms Rees said when driving home he reached Highcliffe and started to feel tired.

He remembered driving past the speed camera in the village and then being pulled out of the car by police and ambulance after the collision, she said.

Sadowski told the court he had been going through a bad period at the time but added that this did not justify his actions.

“I made a really bad decision,” said Sadowski. “The worst decision I have made in my life and it could have been so much worse.”

District judge Stephen Nicholls handed Sadowski an 18-month driving ban. He also ordered him to pay a £300 fine, £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.