Ex-landlord was caught over drink-drive limit

Paul Hamer, a 36-year-old landscape gardener, of Clifton Street, Lytham, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 16 months and fined £110 with £40 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Philippa Jones, prosecuting, said police stopped Hamer as he drove an Escort van on Lytham Road, Warton, on January 15 at 11.25pm.

A breath test showed 62 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 micrograms is the limit.

Gerry Coyle, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had felt low after splitting up with his long-term girlfriend, an academic with a doctorate, who he had supported while she was at university.

Hamer was at present sleeping on a camp-bed at his mother’s while his ex had a new partner, who had moved into the house the defendant and she once shared.

Hamer had previously been a licensee and said he had not believed for one minute he was over the limit that night.

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