Drink-driver swerved round cars on the M6

A drink-driver who swerved round cars on the M6 before stopping on the hard shoulder told police he was sitting in the driver's seat looking for chewing gum, a court heard.

Philip Bailey told officers the car was being driven by a friend who had stopped on the motorway because he needed the toilet, Warley Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Bailey, who was found in the driving seat with the keys in the ignition of his silver BMW and the engine on, then said his friend had not returned and he had slid over to find some gum.

The 49-year-old, of Whittingham Drive in Stafford, pleaded guilty to driving his silver BMW with 111mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Bailey was disqualified from driving for two years, given a community order for 150 hours unpaid work, and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs. He was also ordered to complete a supervised drink driving programme.

Mrs Virinder Bains, prosecuting, told the court police were called to two reports of a silver BMW swerving erratically in and out of cars on the M6 northbound on December 17.

Officers found Bailey in the car on the hard shoulder of the M5 access slip road to the M6 southbound at 11.50pm. CCTV showed he had been driving alone.

The court heard how Bailey had developed alcohol problems four years ago when his divorce proceedings began. He sought help but began drinking again on New Year's Day two years ago.

Mr Andrew Chowdhury, defending, said since he was quizzed by police, Bailey had not touched any alcohol.

Mr Chowdhury added: "He has stopped drinking and he has not wasted the court's time as he submitted an early guilty plea.

"He thought better of driving drunk and that's why he pulled over. There were no persons injured by his driving."

Passing sentence, chairman of the bench Mr Ken Wilkins said: "I think you realise how serious this is.

"You have come close to being in prison, it is that serious, however, you did put your hand up.

"We are going to give you a community order. We would have given you 200 hours unpaid work but because of the way you've conducted yourself, we're giving you 150."