Sales manager caught over drink-drive limit

Burnley magistrates were told how Jackson Louis Linford (22) was seen by police to go through a red traffic light at Gannow roundabout in the town about 10pm. The officer followed his vehicle which was then weaving in the road before it clipped the kerb. He stopped it and breath-tested the defendant.

Linford, a father-of-one, later blew 62 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 – at the police station. He had no previous convictions.

The defendant, of Mill Street, Padiham, admitted driving with excess alcohol in Burnham Gate, Burnley, on April 28th. He was fined £300 with a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs and was banned for 17 months. He had no previous convictions.

Philip Turner (defending) said he had arranged to meet a friend after work to have something to eat. That did not actually happen, but during the course of the evening he had a few bottles of beer over five hours.

The solicitor continued: “Clearly, he accepts now he ought not to have drunk the quantity he did. He thought as they were spaced out he would be alright to drive. Clearly that wasn’t the case and he accepts his culpability.”

Mr Turner added: “He has been told he won’t lose his job but his income earning capacity is likely to be affected.”