AN electrician, almost four times the drink drive limit, told police he had had a glass of wine with his tea, a court heard.

James Francis McGeehan, 49, smelled strongly of alcohol when he was stopped by police - and had knocked back up to nine pints at a reunion with old workmates, Burnley magistrates heard.

McGeehan of Otterburn Grove, Burnley, escaped jail and was given 100 hours community service and banned from driving for two years. He must pay £50 costs. He admitted driving with excess alcohol on April 24.

The court heard a blood test showed McGeehan had 317 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80. He told police he had had a glass of wine with his tea.

Alan Wilson, defending, said McGeehan was of previous good character and did not have a drink problem. He accepted his behaviour was stupid and regrettable and that he could go to prison. He had an impeccable driving record, but would be losing his licence and his job.

McGeehan had arranged to see some old workmates on his day off. His idea was to drive, so he wouldn't have too much to drink, but ended up having a whale of a time and his plan backfired.

He spent most of the afternoon and early evening drinking and possibly had nine pints in total.

Mr Wilson went on: "Common sense went out of the window. The defendant is frightened to death of going to prison. There is little or no chance of re-offending."

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