A bereaved drink-driver had lost his wife the week before he got behind the wheel while over the limit.
Police pulled over a Citroen Berlingo on the A595 at Bransty corner in Whitehaven, on September 22, in a routine stop check, Workington Magistrates’ Court was told.
George Shelley, prosecuting, said officers spoke to the driver, David Routledge, 63, and could smell intoxicants on his breath.
He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 47mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Routledge was taken to custody and gave a reading of 48mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
John Cooper, defending, said Routledge was a man who had never been trouble.
He told the court: “A week before he had buried his wife. He had gone out and had a drink and stupidly got in his car. I don’t think there’s about his manner of driving.
“He has said to me this morning it’s no excuse. He wants to try and get things sorted.”
Routledge, of Windsor Lodge, Howgate, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with alcohol above the limit.
The defendant was banned from driving for 14 months and fined £480. He must also pay £85 costs and a £198 victim surcharge.
Routledge was offered the drink drivers’ rehabilitation course, which will reduce his driving ban by a third.
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