A MAN wove a web of lies after losing his job for the second time within 12 months, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Paul Andrew Harkness kept up the pretence of leaving the house every day for his work as a delivery driver despite the fact that he had been banned for drink driving and lost his job.

The deceit eventually came to light when his wife insisted he took the car because it was raining and he was caught behind the wheel, drinking strong cider at 11.23 am.

Harkness, 36, of Parkdale Gardens, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol and driving while disqualified.

He was given a community rehabilitation order for 12 months, with a condition that he attends a substance related offending programme, and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said police saw Harkness in a car parked on Cravens Brow. Harkness got out and walked away but he was arrested.

An empty can of strong lager was found in the front of the car and seven full cans were found in the boot.

Harkness gave a breathalyser reading of 73 against the legal limit of 35.

Jonathon Taylor, defending, said that until last year Harkness had been working as a sales representative for a print company before he was made redundant and got a job delivery driving.