AN over-the-limit driver was holding down two jobs to try and meet £20,000 debts left by his former partner, a court was told..

Burnley magistrates heard how Matthew Genesi, 30, was caught out after a late-night drink but thought he would be alright to drive.

Genesi, of Green Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol. He was given a 12 month ban, fined £250 and told to pay £60 costs.

The justices told him there had been a potential danger to other road users. He had no previous convictions.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, told the court at 3.10am police saw a car they thought was travellling too fast in the town centre.

Officers indicated it was travelling at 54mph down 30mph Church Street, in Burnley. Other traffic slowed the vehicle down and police followed and stopped it.

They could smell drink on the defendant's breath and he was asked to provide a roadside specimen.

He was then arrested and taken to the police station, where he gave a test showing 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

John Nuttall, defending, said Genesi had had difficulties recently.

His partner had left him with £20,000 debt and he had been holding down two jobs.

The defendant worked in a bar at night and, afterwards, he had gone for a drink. He thought he would be under the limit.

Mr Nuttall said a disqualification was going to cause Genesi exceptional hardship.