A man on his way to check on a friend’s business premises, following a report of a prowler, was stopped and breathalysed by police on their way to investigate the same incident.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard repeat offender Alan Williams was caught by police on October 29 in Rakefoot, Haslingden, while driving his Land Rover Defender.

Williams, who has three previous convictions for drink driving, blew 56 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, over the legal limit of 35mcg.

Williams, 56, of New Line, Bacup, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £120 with £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for 15 months.

Jackie Partington, prosecuting, said Williams had three previous convictions for drink driving, but the last had been in 2007.

Bill Rawstron, mitigating, said his client had received a phone call to say a prowler had been spotted at a nursery he was connected with.

“He had only had a pint, but he had some drink earlier in the day,” said Mr Rawstron.

“The irony is the police stopped him because they suspected the vehicle he was driving may have been at the premises he was going to investigate.”