A FORMER butcher who turned to alcohol after his business and marriage collapsed was caught drink-driving twice in a week.

Burnley magistrates heard Stephen Bennett, 47, had been stopped after driving without lights. Six days later, he was found to be three times the limit after he shunted a parked vehicle.

Father-of-three Bennett, who used to run his business in Trawden, probably now felt as low as he could get, his solicitor, Geoff Ireland, told the court.

Bennett, of Talbot Street, Colne, admitted two counts of driving with excess alcohol, failing to surrender, having no lights, and driving without due care and attention.

He was bailed until November 1 for a pre sentence report and warned he may go to jail. He was also given an interim driving ban.

Nigel Harrison, prosecuting, said on September 27 Bennett was stopped because he had no lights on. A breath test revealed he was one-and-a-half times the legal limit.

On October 30, Bennett was detained by police after shunting a parked vehicle. A breath test showed he was just over three times the limit.

In the meantime, the defendant had not turned up at court and had rung in complaining of toothache.

Mr Ireland said within a very short space of time Bennett's 22-year marriage and his business had failed. He was now at his lowest ebb. He had turned to drink and accepted he had been drinking far too much than was good for him. Bennett was now in receipt of income support.

Mr Ireland went on: "He has fallen on hard times. He is in something of a pathetic state. I expect he won't drive again."

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