Drink-driver: Breathalyser I bought said that I was ok

A MAN caught behind the wheel while almost three times the alcohol limit claimed a breathalyser he bought after a drink-drive awareness course told him he was ‘okay.’

David Howell, 59, was arrested for failing a police test after he tried to get through a road block.

The father-of-one told a court he thought he was fit to drive as he had blown into an Alcosense breathalyser he bought following a previous conviction.

Howell, from Adlington, Macclesfield, admitted drinking whisky, but claimed the £49.99 gadget had shown a ‘low reading,’ adding: “I abide by it, that’s the be-all and end-all - and will not drive until the machines says I have the all-clear.’’

Howell urged Stockport magistrates not to ban him from the road, claiming he would suffer ‘exceptional hardship.’

His plea was rejected and he was disqualified for 40 months. Howell was banned from driving for 18 months in 2012. The court earlier heard that on August 3 last year, Howell attempted to drive his black Ford Transit van into Whaley Bridge, when the town was threatened with flooding if a damaged dam breached.

He said he wanted to check on stock at his business and retrieve documents. The court heard Howell became ‘agitated and animated’ with police when he came up against a road block.

Pc Kirsty Mellor said: “He seemed drunk and was slurring his words, quite over the top, with arms flailing around.

“He was steadying himself on a lamppost and I thought he was drunk.

“I would place him about a seven out of ten on the scale of being quite noticeably drunk. He had to steady himself and I approached him to speak and could see he was either unwell or drunk and could smell alcohol on his breath.”

Howell was also given a 12-month community order which includes treatment on a six-month alcohol programme.

He was also made subject of a 7pm to 7am curfew for eight weeks and ordered to £175 in costs and surcharges.

Chair of the bench Lynn Moores told Howell: “We do have some sympathy with the position you find yourself in. Nevertheless, you have pleaded guilty and it was a relatively high reading.”