A WINSFORD man who ‘only drove five miles down the road’ under the influence of alcohol was given a 12-month driving ban and a fine.

Liam Crawford, of Baywillow Close, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle on November 9 this year while he was over the legal limit, recording a breath test of 53mg per 100ml.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis.

Chester Magistrates Court heard from prosecutor Valeriya Tonkinson that police had been called to an incident in Bradbury Road where they found Crawford in his car with opened cans of alcohol including beer and vodka mix drinks.

The defendant initially refused to leave the vehicle but was removed by police and arrested and given the breath test.

Officers also found cannabis which he initially denied owning but eventually admitted that he had been drinking and the drug belonged to him for personal use which he used for medicinal purposes.

In mitigation, the court heard that 36-year-old Crawford had ‘only driven five miles down the road’ to pick up his girlfriend and had no previous drink or drug offences.

Magistrates heard that Crawford was formerly self-employed but had to give up work because of severe pain and was awaiting spinal surgery.

They also heard he had the car and his home specially-adapted to help with his disability and that he was in receipt of benefits through Universal Credit and PIP payments.

Magistrates banned Crawford for 12 months which can be reduced to nine months should he complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course and fined him £120 with costs and victim surcharge adding up to £253.

He was given no separate penalty for possession of cannabis.