Police stop drink-driver on M65

Burnley magistrates heard how Niall Conrad Preston (23) had just bought the vehicle and was on the M65 in the early hours when police saw him and the van was flagged up as uninsured.

Officers stopped him, his breath smelled of alcohol and he failed a roadside breath test. He was arrested, taken to the police station and blew 48 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, above the legal limit of 35.

Preston, who has just step up a house renovation company after a spell out of work, will now be forced back onto benefits with the loss of his licence.

The defendant, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol on February 1st and having no insurance. He was banned for 12 months, fined £110 and must pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge. Preston had no previous convictions.

Daniel Frazer (defending) said Preston had consumed alcohol earlier but thought sufficient time had passed for him to drive. The defendant was told by the van seller he would be insured. There was no suggestion his driving was erratic.

Mr Frazer said Preston had now lost his good character, adding: “Unfortunately, the business, albeit in its infancy, will now have to stop.”