A SUSPECTED drink-driver who had vodka in his vehicle told police he would provide a breath sample if they gave him a cigarette.

Police received reports of a driver who was ‘swerving’ in the road on August 31. A search was carried out by officers around Bassenthwaite Lake.

They located the vehicle which was being driven by Warren Day, and he was pulled over, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Day was asked how he old he was and he had replied ‘10’, then gave his real age of 51.

He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 94mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg. A bottle of Glen’s vodka was found in the vehicle.

Day was arrested and taken to the police station. He was described as being ‘very drunk’, argumentative and demanding a cigarette.

He gave ‘strange’ responses to the questions asked of him. He was asked if he agreed to provide two specimens of breath and he replied, ‘give me a fag and you can have what you like’.

When asked if there was any reason why he couldn’t provide, Day replied, ‘the size of my ****’. He was ‘extremely drunk’ and had to remain in handcuffs due to his demeanour.

Day had some previous driving offences on his record.

John Cooper, defending, said: “He had been working. He had been doing well. He lost his job, lost his partner. His dad has been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

“He has relocated to west Cumbria. Hadn’t drunk for many years. He is engaging with Recovery Steps.”

A probation officer told the court that Day ‘had a lot of issues going on in his life’. He started to drink heavily and moved to Cumbria.

He had purchased a bottle of vodka from a garage in Penrith. He said he wished he hadn’t bought the vodka and waited until he got back home.

The court heard that Day was ‘upset’ with himself and was ‘grateful’ that an accident hadn’t occurred.

Day, of Queens Crescent, Frizington, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Magistrates imposed an eight-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. Day was disqualified from driving for 30 months, to be reduced by 30 weeks, if he completes the drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course.

He must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.