A drink-driving doctor claimed he only swigged vodka in the back of his Tesla after he 'bumped' into two vehicles in a car park at his son's football match.
Dr Praveen Partha, 53, drove to his son's game in Eaglescliffe in his red Tesla on March 26, last year.
He 'clipped' the two cars when he reversed back onto the main road as he was searching for a parking space.
Partha became 'flustered' and parked on the side of the road where he found 'a small scratch' on his vehicle.
It was at this point that the consultant , who works at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, claimed he climbed into the back of his car and 'took a swig or two' from a 375ml bottle of vodka.