Chesterfield magistrates were told on Monday that a Vauxhall Corsa driven by Wayne Roper was stopped by police on Chesterfield Road, Pleasley, for a routine check on 12th April at 11.30pm.

He failed a roadside breath test and went on to give a reading of 51mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, the limit being 35mcgs.

Roper (31), of Stanton Street, admitted drink-driving and had a previous conviction for dishonesty in 2003.

Difficult

He was handed a £320 fine, plus £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, and was banned from driving for a year.

In mitigation, Bob Bashforth said Roper worked at Hatfield Colliery, near Doncaster, and the ban would make it difficult for him to get to and from the pit.

Mr Bashforth said: "He drank three or four cans of beer at home over a four-hour period and got a phone call at 11pm from his brother, asking if he could pick him up from Mansfield.

"He thought he would be under the limit by that time. He wasn't, but there was no bad driving — he was stopped for a routine check."

Mr Bashforth said Roper used to be a heroin addict, but had kicked the habit and settled down. He was now working hard and living with his partner and her child.

His ban will be cut to nine months if he passes a drink-driving rehabilitation course.