A driver who smashed into a Black Country cafe after drinking 12 pints of lager, sparking fears of a gas explosion, has been given a community work sentence.

Christian Southall, of Haig Road, Kates Hill, took his mother’s car and crashed it into a wall next to Sofi’s Coffee Lounge in Castle Street, Dudley.

He only held a provisional licence and had been drinking with friends. He was given a 12-month community order, during which he must do 200 hours of unpaid work.

The 22-year-old was also banned from driving for 30 months and ordered to pay £85 court costs at Dudley Magistrates Court.

Sofi Hickinbottom, who runs the cafe, today called the sentence “disgusting” and said: “He should have been locked up.”

Southall had pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, and taking the vehicle without the owner’s consent on August 1.

He also admitted driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, but was given no penalty for those charges.

In a police interview Southall said he had drunk eight pints of lager before getting behind the wheel of his mother’s Rover 25.

He then drank another four pints while out with friends before the crash.

Mr Shabir Quereshi, defending, said Southall had no previous convictions. His father had died in recent months, and Southall suffered from depression and anxiety, he added.