A WOMAN rang the police after her estranged husband drove home after drinking, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Alan Perry, 52, a French polisher, had taken his wife out to the pub, but they had ended up having a heated row.

Perry, who had drunk three and a half pints, was stopped by officers and the lower of two breath tests showed 58 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Perry, of Pollard Street, Burnley, was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £200 and ordered to pay £40 costs, after admitting driving with excess alcohol.

He had no previous convictions.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Perry was of previous good character and had a clean driving licence.

Perry and his wife were separated and agreed to go out.

The defendant drove to her home, left his car and they went to a nearby pub.

There, he drank three and a half pints, which he accepts would put him over the limit.

When they later got back to Mrs Perry's home, the couple had a heated row and Perry left.

He took his car instead of walking or getting a taxi and risked the fairly short journey home.

Mr Ireland said the defendant's wife telephoned the police.

The loss of his driving licence would cause difficulties.

Perry worked in Todmorden and had to start at 7.30am.

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