A MILITARY policeman has scuppered his chances of promotion after being caught over the limit behind the wheel.

Burnley Magistrates heard how soldier Brian Hawk, 21, would also have to answer to his superiors in the army as well as the police after officers stopped him after he sped past them.

Hawk, of Briercliffe Road, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol and was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £240 and must pay £55 costs. Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said police were travelling on Manchester Road, Burnley, towards the town centre and the defendant was driving a BMW in the opposite direction. Hawk passed the police car at speed and the officers stopped him.

He provided a positive roadside breath test and was taken to Burnley police station, where the lowest of two samples showed 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

John Rusius, defending, said Hawk was a man of exemplary character. He had drunk three glasses of wine and felt fine to drive.

The defendant co-operated with the police and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. There was no accident and no dangerous driving.

Mr Rusius said Hawk had been due to be promoted and needed to have a driving licence. He would now have to forego promotion.

The defendant would suffer financially from the offence.

He would be dealt with internally in the forces and the fact he would not be promoted would mean he would lose £4,500 each six months.

Mr Rusius went on :"All he can do is look back with regret and apologise for what he has done."