Joiner was over the drink-drive limit

Alan Rainford, 51, of Walmer Road, St Annes, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned for 16 months and fined £360 with £85 costs plus £36 victims’ surcharge by District Judge Jeff Brailsford sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

Chrissie Hunt, prosecuting, said a police patrol saw Rainford driving a Skoda Fabia on St Annes Road East, St Annes, with only side-lights on December 12 about 7pm. A breath test showed 62 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.

Alan Godwin, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had acted totally out of character.