A MAN who answered a distress call from his partner failed a breathalyser test as he drove home.

Blackburn magistrates heard when he was stopped Anthony Jordan said he had been rushing to get home because he needed the toilet.

Jordan, 45, of Knowlmere Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said Jordan appeared to accelerate away when he was seen by a police patrol. He stopped when the blue lights were activated and explained he was rushing to get home because he needed the toilet.

He said he had consumed one can of lager but gave a reading of 53 against the legal limit of 35.

Richard Prew, defending, said his client was drinking at home and had no intention of driving that night. “He got a phone call from his partner who was having a panic attack,” said Mr Prew.

“She had called him in something of a state, he had gone to help her, and was on his way home when he was stopped virtually outside his own home.”