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Dad Anthony Gamble was caught drink driving after police received a tip-off.

Officers got a call reporting that Gamble had left a Bucknall pub and was going to drive. When they located the 28-yearold’s Vauxhall Astra, they found he was more than twice the legal alcohol limit. Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the report was made in the early hours of June 5.

Prosecutor Emma Thompson said: “Police received a call to say this defendant had left the Finney Gardens pub [inset] and it was believed he was drink driving. His car was stopped just after 1am. He provided a positive breath test.” Gamble, who gave his ‘care of’ address as Long Valley Road, Biddulph, went on to give an alcohol reading of 91 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. He pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit. He had no previous convictions.

Iain Haley, mitigating, said the offence came about following the breakdown of Gamble’s long term relationship. “Of late, he has had a pretty rough time of it. He had been in a relationship for many years and has two children. “Unfortunately they have separated. As a result he has found himself homeless and has lost his job. He had been sleeping in his vehicle.

“On this day, he had been to a local pub and consumed alcohol. He got in his car intending to go to sleep. He realised he could not leave it where it was so decided to move it to somewhere he could leave it for the evening.” Magistrates fined Gamble £120 and disqualified him from driving for 23 months, which will be reduced if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course. He must also pay £169 in court costs and charges.