A MAN fell foul of drink driving laws the day after a heavy drinking session while reminiscing over a family tragedy.

Blackburn magistrates heard Kevin Kearney, 39, had drunk far more than he normally would and failed a breathalyser at lunch time the following day.

Kearney, of Anyon Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £330 with £85 costs and £33 victim surcharge and banned from driving for three years after the magistrates were told he had a previous excess alcohol conviction in 2008.

Damian Pickup, defending, said in 1996 youngster David Kearney had been mauled to death by a Rottweiler dog in a back yard in Darwen.

He said: “That was my client’s brother. The night before he and another brother had been talking about the incident and how it had affected them. My client still has nightmares about what happened.”

Mr Pickup said Kearney had drunk far too much and driven before he should have.