DRINKING punch at a sales conference cost sales executive Dennis John Sullivan his driving licence and job.

Blackburn magistrates heard how Sullivan, breathalysed on his way home from the function, was more than double the legal limit.

And the court was told the financial repercussions would be enormous for a man who had worked in sales all his adult life, for whom a licence was essential.

Sullivan, 43, of Merchants Landing, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and was disqualified from driving for two years and fined £200.

David Griffiths, defending, said that in anticipation of losing his licence Sullivan had already tendered his notice.

"The use of a car is essential for the work that this man has done all his adult life and there are no immediate prospects of employment for him," said Mr Griffiths.

He said Sullivan had a £750 a month mortgage and a £250 a month child maintenance commitment as well as having to provide for his wife and child.

"His financial circumstances are going to be extremely stretched," said Mr Griffiths. "He has never faced unemployment before and this represents a very significant punishment to him already."

He said Sullivan had drunk one pint of beer at lunchtime and then some punch in the evening before driving home from a sales conference in his company car.

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