Drink driver caught driving through red light

A drink-driving dad was caught late morning, after he went through a red light in front of the police, a court heard.
Burnley Magistrates' CourtBurnley Magistrates' Court
Burnley Magistrates' Court

Karl Eccles had been rushing as had been on his way to pick up his child. Eccles had been out drinking the night before and had overslept.

The 28-year-old, an upholsterer at Silent Night, was spotted by officers on Trafalgar Street in Burnley, at 11-25am.

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Miss Parveen Akhtar (prosecuting) told the town's magistrates: "Officers are in a police vehicle driving along. The lights go red, Mr Eccles pulls out, overtakes and drives through. He is stopped, officers speak to him and can smell alcohol on his breath."

Eccles, who has never been in trouble before, blew 47 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when tested at the police station. The legal limit is 35.

Mr David Norman (defending) told the hearing Eccles had arranged to stay with a friend. He was due to collect his child at 8am, but overslept and was in a rush.

The solicitor added: "He thought at that time, because it was so long after his last drink, he was under the limit. If he had had breakfast and not been in such a rush, he may well not have been stopped by the police."

The defendant, of Chestnut Drive, Barnoldswick, admitted driving with excess alcohol, on June 9th. He was fined £360, with a £36 victim surcharge and £85 costs and was banned for 14 months.