AN ex-convict stopped at the wheel by police was finding it hard to keep his eyes open, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard that Lee Dale, 23, was incoherent and had to be asked four times to get out of the vehicle.

He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive though drugs, but refused to provide a sample of blood, telling officers: "Nobody is going to stick a needle in me."

Dale, of Manor Street, Nelson, admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis and two counts each of using an uninsured vehicle and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He was sentenced 100 hours community punishment, ordered to pay £55 costs and banned from driving for two years by the bench who said he had an appalling record.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said at 7.20am on December 9 last year police received a message the defendant was under the influence of heroin and was driving a car.

A few minutes later an officer in Nelson saw his car driving slowly and going from one side to another. Police turned on their blue lights to stop the car, but Dale seemed oblivious.

When he was stopped, his eyes were glazed and bloodshot and he had trouble keeping awake and was unsteady on his feet.

Mr Snape said the defendant was asked to sit in the police vehicle. He put his hands down his trousers, appeared to put something in his mouth and when asked to spit it out, said his mouth was empty. Dale had 35 previous convictions.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Dale worked as a roofer on an ad hoc basis. He still needed to carry on addressing his drug use.

While he was working that would stabilise.