A DRINK-DRIVER caught pulling up outside his house with a McDonald’s takeaway told police, ‘I’ve only had two pints’.

Stacey Coats, 42, was seen by officers driving a Mercedes-Benz on Homewood Road in Whitehaven on April 30 and appeared to be driving in excess of the 30mph limit.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said police had to reach speeds of 50mph to keep up with him.

Coats pulled up outside his address at Ullswater Avenue and was attempting to take a McDonald’s takeaway off the seat when officers approached him.

When asked if he had been drinking, Coats replied, “No, I have only had two pints.”

He was breathalysed and gave a reading at the roadside of 57mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

Coats gave a reading of 64mcg at the police station.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said: “It’s always disappointing when you see a man of previous impeccable good character who has never troubled the criminal justice system before.

“He had been out with friends, consumed alcohol and made the foolish decision to get into his vehicle and to drive.

“He was co-operative at the roadside. He enters his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. He had been able to recognize his foolish decision.

“This is the first and only time he will trouble the court at all.”

Coats, of Ullswater Avenue, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with alcohol level above the limit.

Magistrates imposed a 17-month disqualification, reduced to 17 weeks, if the defendant completes the drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course.

Coats was fined £600 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £240 victim surcharge.