AN ARMY driver faces the loss of his job and demotion after clocking up his second drink-drive conviction.

Burnley magistrates heard how James Carlisle 29, was "upset" because his girlfriend had finished with him, got out of his car, left the handbrake on and opened the door into the path of traffic in Manchester Road, Barnoldswick. He was later found to be almost three times the limit.

Carlisle, a lance corporal, who drives heavy goods vehicles, was banned from driving for three years and must pay a total of £555 in costs and fines. He admitted excess alcohol and was told by bench chairman Susan Hughes he had been foolish. She went on: "You have a responsible job. Who knows how your commanding officer is going to react."

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the defendant, of Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, was followed by police. He strayed across the centre line, drove erratically and then stopped. Carlisle got out of the vehicle, but did not put the handbrake on and it rolled backwards a short way. He had to be shouted at to shut the door because he opened it into traffic and was unsteady on his feet. The lower of two police station breath tests showed 94 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Bill Maude, defending, said Carlisle readily accepted the stupidity of his actions and that because he had a previous conviction for drink-driving, he would be disqualified for three years.

He was an Army HGV driver and the inevitable ban would mean he couldn't continue with that job, although it did not necessarily mean he would be discharged from the Army. Carlisle would almost certainly be demoted and would have to be put on other duties.

Mr Maude said normally when the defendant went for a drink while at home, he would leave his car in Barnoldswick. On the night of the offence, he had returned unexpectedly on leave and found out his girlfriend had decided to end the relationship.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.