Suspended jail for banned drink driver

A driver stopped by police for speeding in the early hours turned out to be more than twice the legal limit - and already banned from driving, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told jobless Shaun James Wood (26) was in the grip of alcohol dependency and already under a community order when he got behind the wheel of his girl friend’s car on March 6.

Wood, who has a record for drink-fuelled offending, had even tried acupuncture to help him battle his problems.

When Wood was breath-tested police recorded 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — the legal limit is 35. He was disqualified for two years in 2009 after being convicted of aggravated vehicle taking, and was still banned because he had never taken an extended retest despite being ordered to by the court.

The defendant, of Shepley Street, Failsworth, admitted driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified and without insurance on Bank Street, Padiham.

District Judge Alexandra Simmonds gave him a suspended 12-week prison sentence, with a 30-day rehabilitation order. He was banned for two years, but still has to take the extended test before he can legally drive again.

John Wright, defending, said Wood “had not got the most favourable record,” and his adult life had not been without issue.

Mr Wright said Wood’s friend had asked for a lift. The defendant was “relatively easily led and quite eager to please” and had taken him home.

The solicitor continued: “He is remorseful to the point of embarrassment. He knows he has been foolish. He had not been driving ordinarily and this appears to have been an isolated incident.”

Mr Wright said the defendant had completed an alcohol session and had asked for more. He also had acupuncture.