A 59-YEAR-OLD man driving an articulated lorry along the M65 at 3.30pm gave a breathalyser reading more than three times the legal limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sean Anthony Boyle claimed he had drunk a “couple of bottles” of beer the night before to ease a sore throat.

But imposing a suspended prison sentence, District Judge James Hatton said it was obvious Boyle had consumed a “considerable amount of alcohol” before getting behind the wheel of the HGV.

Boyle, of Cog Lane, Burnley, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of urine for analysis. 

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 40 hours unpaid work and complete the drink-impaired driver programme and pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge. 
He was banned from driving for four years.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said police were alerted to a HGV travelling on the M65 East bound which was swerving across lanes and onto the hard shoulder. 

A short time later the vehicle passed the officer and he followed and observed the same erratic driving. 

The driver didn’t respond to lights and sirens and when the officer pulled alongside and made eye contact the driver still continued.

“The officer eventually pulled in front of the lorry and forced it to stop,” said Mrs White.

Boyle gave a roadside reading of 118 against the legal limit of 35 but failed to provide further breath samples at the police station. He agreed to provide a blood sample but before that could be done he was taken ill and went to hospital.

He then agreed to provide a urine sample but failed to do so in the required time. The court heard Boyle had a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol in 2014.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client realised that driving a large vehicle on the motorway were aggravating features.

“He stands by his claim that he had been drinking the previous evening,” said Mr Price.