A HOLIDAYMAKER caught drink driving after a row with his partner was sentenced in court on what his lawyer accepted was “not a particularly proud day”.

Thomas Jacob Chambers, 42, found himself in the court dock for an offence he committed while staying at Stanwix Park, Silloth.

On July 1, he had been drinking and there was then a disagreement with his partner.

“He walked away from the argument and got into his car,” prosecutor Lee Dacre told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.

It was after Chambers went to a bar that police stopped him as he drove a Seat Alhambra.

He failed a breath test and, after calculations were carried out to discount a pint he consumed at the bar after driving, he was adjudged to have 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35mcg.

Chambers, of Whipp Avenue, Clitheroe, admitted the drink drive offence at the earliest opportunity, having been fully co-operative with police at the time.

“This is not a particularly proud day for the defendant,” said his lawyer, Tobias Collins, as he began providing mitigation.

“He is a hard-working man, a family man. On the day in question he had been on holiday with his family.

“He had no intention of driving initially and had a couple of beers by his own admission. He and his partner had a falling out. He could feel the situation getting worse. He goes to remove himself from the scene.

“Obviously he shouldn’t have driven away. He accepts that. His intention was simply to drive from one part of the caravan site to the other and sleep in the car.”

Mr Collins told the court: “Despite what his intent may have been, he understands it is a crime and there are consequences.”

The inevitable driving ban would have a knock-on effect on others and, potentially, an impact on the finances of Chambers, an air conditioning engineer. He was supported by his fiancée in court and backed by a glowing reference from his employer.

Chambers was fined £600 and given a 14-month driving disqualification. This will be reduced by 14 weeks if he successfully completes a rehabilitation course.