A BANNED alcoholic has walked free from court after clocking up his seventh drink driving conviction.

Robert Coulson, 41, was more than twice the limit in the middle of the afternoon when spotted by police, but was said to be less of a risk to others as he got older..

Coulson, who had now lost the feeling in his feet and lower legs, had discharged himself from hospital to face the music and had no intention of getting behind the wheel again, Burnley magistrates heard.

Coulson, of Ruskin Avenue, Padiham, admitted driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified and without insurance, last November.

He was told by the bench chairman custody would probably be justified, but it would only be for a short time and there would be no help for him to overcome his drink problem in jail.

The justice warned Coulson: "This is your very last chance."

Coulson was given a two-year community order with supervision and must attend the drink-impaired drivers programme. He was banned for five years and told to pay £50 costs.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said Coulson gave a test revealing 83 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Philip Turner, defending, said Coulson had no intention of driving again, even if he was allowed to.

Coulson was caught out while playing a prank. The car was parked outside a house, he had been a passenger and thought it would be a laugh to roll it down the road.

He stopped when he realised the seat belt was trapped. Coulson used the brake to stop the vehicle and was seen by police and arrested after going a matter of yards, he said.