A SPORTS club boss was caught drink-driving after a "mercy dash" to hospital with a sick customer.

Burnley magistrates heard how Keith Laycock, 58, did not think he would be over the limit after several hours at the hospital, but was unsteady on his feet when stopped by police.

Widower Laycock, of Hammond Street, Nelson, was fined £200, with £55 costs, and disqualified from driving for 12 months, after admitting driving with excess alcohol. He had no previous convictions.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Laycock was stopped because he was travelling cautiously at 20mph.

He got out, was very unsteady on his feet and provided a positive roadside breath test almost twice the legal limit. Glen Smith, defending, said Laycock was the proprietor of Clough Head Sports Club. He had been having a few drinks with a lady customer at the club and had no intention of driving.

She became ill and when an ambulance did not turn up, the defendant's former son-in-law took them to hospital.

Laycock waited between three and four hours at the hospital with the woman. His son-in-law, who had been working on Laycock's car, took it to the hospital and left it there.

Laycock did not think he would be over the limit after the several hours' wait. He took the woman home and was stopped by police.

Mr Smith went on: "It is sad when somebody gets to the age of 58 without any previous offences and faces the deprivation of his licence and a conviction on his record in such circumstances."

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