A PENSIONER has been banned from driving for 20 months after getting behind the wheel while more than twice the legal drink drive limit.
Christopher Alan Ireland, 66, of Star Hill Road, Driffield pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit at Bridlington Magistrates Court last Wednesday.
Prosecutor Victoria Mills said that at 1.30pm on December 13 the police stopped a Ford Ka on North Street, Driffield.
Mrs Mills said the driver gave the officer his details and was identified as Ireland.
“The police smelled alcohol on his breath and he was required to provide a specimen of breath but was unable to do so at the road side,” Mrs Mills said.
At the police station Ireland’s lowest reading was 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit being 35 micrograms.
In mitigation Dave Robson said Ireland had met up with friends in a pub for a social drink, and had no more than two or three.
“It’s the case that he can’t drink too much because he’s had two recent heart attacks,” Mr Robson said.
“He was surprised to learn that when he gave a sample he was over the limit,” Mr Robson added.
Mr Robson said Ireland was on medication, taking 13 tablets a day and did not know if that had affected the reading.
Mr Robson added that Ireland used his car to take his mother to and from hospital, and received a pension and invalidity benefit.
“His lifestyle will be severely restricted due to not having a licence,” Mr Robson added.
Ireland was offered the chance to complete a drink driver rehabilitation course which could reduce the overall ban by five months.
He was fined £100, ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15.