Burnley drink driver caught by police on the same day his brother diagnosed with cancer, court told

A drink-driver was caught in his Transit van in the early hours after police spotted him 'reversing poorly' into a main road, a court heard.
A 33-year-old man, who admitted driving with excess alcohol on October 5th was fined 240, with a 32 victim surcharge and 85 costs when he appeared before Burnley magistrates.A 33-year-old man, who admitted driving with excess alcohol on October 5th was fined 240, with a 32 victim surcharge and 85 costs when he appeared before Burnley magistrates.
A 33-year-old man, who admitted driving with excess alcohol on October 5th was fined 240, with a 32 victim surcharge and 85 costs when he appeared before Burnley magistrates.

Father-of-two Wesley Sturdy (33), who was breaking the law a second time, was almost twice the limit.

The labourer, whose brother had been diagnosed with cancer that day, has now been banned for the mandatory three years.

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Burnley magistrates were told how Sturdy blew 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at the police station. The legal limit is 35. He had a similar conviction from July, 2017.

Mr Daniel Frazer, defending Sturdy, said that day his brother had been diagnosed with cancer, he had gone to meet him and they had a drink.

The solicitor told the Bench: "He didn’t believe he had drunk too much to drive.

"You have probably heard that a thousand times.” Sturdy had only driven the vehicle a short distance.

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Mr Frazer, who described the defendant as 'rather busy,' said he had two children who lived with him.

The solicitor added: " He was offered the drink drivers’ rehabilitation course on the last occasion, but declined to take it.”

The Bench offered the defendant the driving course again and told him: "We do feel that will help you enormously."

Sturdy, of Conway Grove, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol on Burnley Road, Briercliffe, on October 5th. He was fined £240, with a £32 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

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