A DRINK-driver almost three times the limit got behind the wheel after a row with his girlfriend, a court heard.

Tony Irving, 35, had been out and had a lot to drink, but had gone home at about 10.30pm and was in bed.

He ‘felt he had to remove himself’ from his home when he and his partner fell out, and thought he would be within the limit.

Burnley magistrates were told that when Irving was stopped in his van in Accrington Road, he gave a test showing 95 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

Irving, of Villiers Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol on April 22.

He was given a two-year ban and an eight-week 7pm to 6am curfew.

Ian Bonney, defending, said Irving was on statutory sick pay, after he was attacked last November by a gang wearing balaclavas.

The defendant, a bricklayer, was anxious to get back to work.

Mr Bonney added there had been no criticism of Irving’s driving, despite the high breath test reading.

He had made the stupid decision to drive to his mother's house.

He also said the defendant had now resolved matters with his girlfriend. He had no record of any drink-related problems.

He said: “He never thought he would be over the drink-drive limit still.

“He is ashamed of what he's done and throws himself on the mercy of the court.”