A "GESTURE of misguided chivalry" landed a 20 year old mechanic in court.

Blackburn magistrates heard that David William Shone went to rescue his distraught former girlfriend who had rowed with her current boyfriend.

But his shining white charger was his brother's car and Shone had been drinking.

Shone, 20, of Water Street, Egerton, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, without insurance and other than in accordance with a licence. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £260 with £35 costs.

Daniel King, defending, said Shone had been out with friends and drunk three or four pints of beer.

"He wasn't driving and didn't intend to drive," said Mr King. "When he got home he received a phone call from his former girlfriend, who was distraught.

In a gesture of misguided chivalry he decided to use his brother's car to pick her up."

Shone, who gave a reading of 53 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink drive rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, will reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.