Drink-driver sobs as he faces losing his job

A drink-driver more than three times the limit the afternoon after the night before sobbed as a court heard he might lose his job.
Burnley Magistrates Court.Burnley Magistrates Court.
Burnley Magistrates Court.

Burnley magistrates were told how Barry McDonald (50) had to travel to work in Settle and if he couldn’t get a lift could end up unemployed.

McDonald blew 113 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when he was tested at 2pm. The legal limit is 35.

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The defendant, of Rosegrove Lane, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol on Cavalry Way, Burnley, on June 11th. He was banned for 26 months and fined £120, with £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He had no previous convictions.

John Rusius (defending) said McDonald had not been drinking on the day. The solicitor continued: “He had been drinking the night before and he thought he had left it long enough because it was 2pm when he was driving and he thought he would have been under the limit at that time.

Police stopped him because his car came up as uninsured but he was insured. He spent over 20 hours in custody.”

Mr Rusius said: “It’s going to be very difficult, it not impossible for him to get to Settle. If he can scrounge a lift then he might keep his job, but short of that he is going to lose his employment and it’s going to be very difficult.”

The solicitor added: “He is very sorry he got it wrong. He’s clearly very upset and very distressed and through me he apologises.”

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