ANDREW Whalley, 31, of Manor Road, Blackburn, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £175 with £35 costs by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol, failing to comply with a red light, driving without insurance and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard that Whalley drove through the red light governing a pelican crossing as three elderly people were crossing. When stopped by police he initially gave a false name.

Andrew-Church Taylor, defending, said the incident happened at 10.30am but Whalley had not been drinking that morning.

"It was a mistake on his part rather than a deliberate act," said Mr Church-Taylor.