A FORMER X Factor contestant from Barnsley has been sentenced after pleading guilty to driving his car while being more than three times over the legal limit.
Jack Walton, 22, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday having crashed his Ford Fiesta on Old Mill Lane, near the town centre, into a parked car and a wall on August 20.
He was arrested and a roadside test revealed he had 117mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system the legal limit being 35mg.
Walton, of Mellwood Grove, Hemingfield, appeared on ITV’s singing competition in 2014 and finished in 11th place having been mentored by ex-Spice Girl Mel B.
Alan Greaves, defending, said his client had been performing at a gig in Barnsley before he was invited to a party, where he consumed straight whiskey shots before opting to drive home.
He said: “He’s totally ashamed and extremely embarrassed to be appearing in court. It’s out of character and he’s making headway into his musical career.
“He’s on the verge of releasing an album and is doing quite well. He’s going to lose his licence because of it something he relies on to get from gig to gig.
“Although his own car was written off and another was damaged, he realises how this could have been much more serious and he’s very sorry for what he’s done.”
Walton was given a 12-month community order which requires him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
He was disqualified from driving for two years, told to pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
