Underwood alcoholic was FOUR TIMES over limit when cops caught him driving home from buying more booze
An Underwood alcoholic who was FOUR TIMES over the drink-drive limit when police caught him driving home from the off-licence has been banned for life.
Police were tipped off that Neil Howe was intoxicated while driving near his home at 3.50pm on January 10, said Lynne Bickley, prosecuting.
A breath test at the roadside showed he had 144 microgrammes of alcohol when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
On the way to the station he started struggling to breathe and had to use an inhaler. A blood sample showed he had 253 millilitres when the legal limit is 80 millilitres.
Mark Stocks, mitigating, said Howe only has one dissimilar conviction from some time ago and should be treated as a man of previous good character.
"He deserves credit for his plea," he said. "He consumed beer and vodka and decided to drive to a nearby shop for more alcohol.
"He has been alcohol-dependent for decades. He has been on residential programmes in 2008 and 2010, and has been a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over a decade.
"He has tried various methods to stop drinking but nothing has worked,” he said. “He is able to remain abstinent for some time but then relapses.”
Mr Stocks said Howe was unable to comply with any court orders because his physical health has been wrecked by decades of alcohol abuse.
He suffers from COPD, asthma and brittle bone disease, has significant mental health difficulties and is awaiting assessment from a psychiatrist.
Howe, aged 73, of Lower Bagthorpe, Underwood, admitted drink driving when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Thursday, August 6.
He received a 12-month community order with ten rehabilitation days. He was banned from driving for life.