A DRINK driver told magistrates he was "totally embarrassed" and had brought shame on himself and his family.

Engineer Graham Golding, 41, had gone into town because he was depressed after his recent divorce, Burnley magistrates heard.

Golding, of Parkinson Street, Burnley, was fined £250 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for 20 months. He admitted driving with excess alcohol.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said the defendant was stopped at 12.35am by police.

It was obvious he had been drinking and the lowest of two police station breath tests was 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Nick Dearing, defending, said there was no suggestion of dangerous driving or of Golding swerving on the road.

What he had done was very much out of character.

Golding had been depressed following his recent divorce and he had gone into town.

He intended to leave his car, but because of the stormy weather, stupidly decided to get in the car and drive home.

Golding co-operated with police and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Golding told the court he was "totally embarrassed" and wanted to apologise.

He added: "I don't know what got into me. I have brought shame on myself and my family."

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