But investigations by police revealed that was not the case and Cossor had been drinking before the accident.

Cossor, 37, of Lyne Street, pleaded guilty in Albury Local Court yesterday to charges of driving with the middle-range prescribed concentration of alcohol and wilfully altering the concentration of alcohol in his blood.

Magistrate Tony Murray convicted Cossor imposing fines totalling $1300 and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.

Mr Murray asked Cossor why he was driving after drinking and he replied: “Stupidity on my behalf”.

When police arrived about 8.10pm, Cossor was not there, but arrived about five minutes later.

Cossor claimed he went to a residence about 100 metres away in Zago Court and had five cans of Jack Daniels.

But the residents at the premises later refuted the claim.