A teacher from Chorley was embroiled in a scuffle after colliding with a taxi when he was three times over the drink drive limit.
Jonathan McGrath, of Weavers Court, Buckshaw Village, has been banned from driving for two years and ordered to complete 180 hours' community service after the incident in March.
Preston Crown Court heard how the head of boy's PE at Darwen Vale High School had been 'lucky' to avoid a jail sentence because his victim Rob Willis, of Adlington, didn't want him to lose his job.
The 28-year-old had initially faced assault charges after the Chorley taxi driver said he'd suffered two black eyes and bruising to his face during the altercation in Euxton.
He later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of a section four public order offence and driving with excess alcohol.
Defending McGrath, Lisa Judge said the teacher, who had no previous convictions, was dismayed to find himself in court.
She added: "This defendant has conveyed his absolute horror at the seriousness of this offence on that night and he suffers as a result of it and continues to do so. Quite frankly the outcome on that night was a lucky one."
Miss Judge said that even the fact that he had seen his name listed on the board at Preston Crown Court for sentencing had had a massive impact on him.
The court heard how McGrath had admitted to drinking five strong lagers in a pub before getting in his car to drive a short journey.
On that route he collided with the Yellow Cabs taxi and a 'scuffle' broke out when Mr Willis tried to take McGrath's car keys away from him until the police arrived.
Miss Judge said Mr Willis had sustained injuries to his face that resulted in bruising.
Judge Philip Butler admitted to a 'degree of surprise' that the prosecution had agreed to accept a guilty plea to a public order offence.
He said the defendant was lucky that Mr Willis had shown him compassion and said other victims may not have been inclined to do so.
He added: "You drove on the relevant occasion having consumed, you say five strong lagers. You had been to the pub and were sufficiently intoxicated to be involved in a minor traffic incident. Mr Willis tried to restrain you until the police arrived by taking the keys from the car.
"There may have been a scuffle and he may have received those injuries as part of the scuffle. That situation was set up by your drunken driving."
Judge Butler revealed that McGrath had been more than three times over the drink drive limit when he was arrested and said his colleagues had been supporting him since his interim driving ban.
He sentenced him to 180 hours' unpaid work in the community to be completed in 12 months and disqualified him from driving for two years. He decided not to impose a curfew as he said it could impact adversely on the pupils McGrath teaches as he is involved in after school activities and weekend events.
McGrath was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Willis and £125 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, victim Mr Willis said: "At the end of the day I don't want to see anyone go to prison. I feel vindicated that he has admitted what he did and pleaded guilty.
"I don't want to see anyone out of a job, but I have never received an apology from him for what he did. It took six months to get my car back on the road and I was anxious about returning to work afterwards.
"Now I just want to move on with my life and put the ordeal behind me."
A spokesman for Darwen Vale High School said: "Normal disciplinary procedures were followed after Mr McGrath immediately informed the school about what had happened.
"Governors took appropriate action and Mr McGrath was suspended pending the outcome of that procedure.
"He has now returned to school, however governors will meet again to further consider the outcome of this case.
"We note that the judge commented in court that he hoped Mr McGrath would remain in his employment due to his previous impeccable record, good character and the genuine remorse he has shown throughout, and this will be taken into account by the governors when they meet.
"We would like to add that Mr McGrath is a valued member of staff at the school and is held in high regard both by those he teaches and those who work with him."
http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/chorley/
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