A Macclesfield rugby star who drove home drunk after his club’s Christmas party has been banned from the road for more than two years.

Matthew Simpson, 24, downed seven pints then crashed his car into a tree on the A538 in Mottram St Andrew at 11.30pm on December 10.

The 5ft 10in, 14st 8lbs outside back then drove off again before dumping his car at Tesco in Handforth Dean.

Police caught Simpson as he set off to walk home.

He was breathalysed and recorded 105mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Simpson, of Hope Road, Sale, admitted being three-and-a-half times the legal limit at Macclesfield magistrates’ court.

Magistrates heard that Simpson had been with his Macclesfield Rugby Club team mates at the party in Priory Park on December 10.

Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said: “At 11.30pm Simpson lost control of the Vauxhall Astra he was driving and collided with a tree.

“A motorist, Joanne Shaw, came across the accident. The car was blocking the carriageway. The front end was badly damaged. Simpson was trying to move the car.

Ms Shaw described Simpson as ‘out of it’. She spoke to him but he was very distant and didn’t respond. Simpson then left the scene and drove off and Ms Shaw called  police.”

CCTV traced Simpson’s from vehicle to the  supermarket car park and he was arrested walking away from the car.

Matthew Gardner, defending, said Simpson was ashamed of his action which would certainly get him fired from his job.

He said: “He hadn’t planned staying for long at the Christmas do.

“He is not used to drinking as he takes his fitness and health seriously.

“He blames peer pressure and a highly-charged atmosphere on his decision to drink so much. He doesn’t remember deciding to drive the car or what happened next.

“He is ashamed.”

Mr Gardner said Simpson would ‘most certainly’ lose his job as a business development manager and have to move back home with his mum and dad.

Magistrates gave Simpson a 12-month community order with 200 hours unpaid work. He was banned for 25 months and ordered to pay £85 costs.

The club declined to comment.