A DRINK-DRIVER who was “driving all over the road” told a judge he had been behind the wheel for three and a half hours.

A member of the public contacted 999 at 6pm on May 1 to report a vehicle being driven by Dean Whitehead on the A66, which had passed over the centre line on several occasions.

Police located the vehicle nine minutes later, passing the junction to Brigham and Great Broughton, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said officers pulled over Whitehead, 40, who was smoking and “smelled of intoxicants”.

He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 50mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

Whitehead was taken to the police station and gave a reading of 44mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

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The defendant, who was not legally represented, said: “It was a minimal amount. I had not even drunk that day.

“I’m a contractor. I had been home for the first time in a long time. I would have never driven if I had been over the limit.

“I had been on the road for three and a half hours.”

Whitehead, of Carrville Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to driving with alcohol level above the limit.

District Judge John Temperley banned Whitehead from driving for 12 months, to be reduced by three months, if he completes the drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course.

The defendant was fined £400 and must pay £85 costs and a £160 victim surcharge.