Dr David Herbert, 26, who worked in A&E at Whiston Hospital, crashed his Audi A3 after a night out on 14 November.

The jury heard his car ploughed into a wall, hitting a Peugeot 206 and killing its driver, student Tom Hanson, 20.

Dr Herbert, of Woolton, denies causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It's the first time I have ever consumed alcohol before driving a car Dr David Herbert

The crash took place at about 0230 BST, but police could not trace the doctor until 0500 BST.

Prosecuting, Brian Cummings said witnesses saw the doctor walk away from the scene of the crash.

The court was told he walked the three miles back to his home in Quarry Street.

When police arrived at his house, they said he appeared drunk and his breath smelt of alcohol.

A blood test was not carried out until 0900 BST - by which time results showed he was under the legal limit.

Mr Cummings said: "The prosecution allege that the defendant was, at the time of the collision, unfit to drive by reason of the alcohol which he had consumed.

"The prosecution also allege that the manner of his driving was careless and was one of the causes of the accident."

'Horrible' accident

Dr Herbert had told the police he had gone to meet friends at around 1130 BST that night.

The group had then moved on to the Blue Angel nightclub.

He claimed he had drunk one and a half double vodkas with orange, a bottle of lager and a pint of bitter, but said he did not feel drunk so decided to drive home.

Dr Herbert said: "I deeply regret the incident ever having started in the first place. It's the first time I have ever consumed alcohol before driving a car."

He described the accident as "horrible, regrettable."

The trial continues.