POLICE stopped a car in the early hours of the morning because it was being driven at only 15mph.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when the driver tried to get out of the car he fell back into the seat and when he did manage it was unsteady on his feet.

Gerard Bilone, 44, of Conway Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £200 with £60 costs and disqualified for two years.

Bilone, who gave a reading of 93 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink drivers rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, will reduce his disqualification by up to 25 per cent.

Julie Reddish, prosecuting, said officers had first noticed the car because of its slow speed. They eventually pulled alongside, wound the window down and asked the driver to pull over.

Adrian Williams, defending, said Bilone was a man of previous good character who agreed fully with the police version of events. He said his client was not in the habit of drink driving.

"In fact, he is not in the habit of drinking," said Mr Williams.

"He has recently split from his wife and on this occasion he had gone for a few drinks to drown his sorrows. He foolishly drove home but it seems he took the decision to drive slowly."