A MAN who had worked in the licensed trade for 20 years and often took car keys off people for their own safety, failed a breathalyser as he drove home.

Blackburn magistrates heard police stopped Stephen Costello after he had left the Rising Sun in Wilpshire after receiving a tip off about a possible drink driver.

Costello, 48, of Ribchester Road, Clayton-le-Dale, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol on Knowsley Road. He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £260 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

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The court heard Costello had three previous convictions for drink driving, the last of them in 1998.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had been involved in the licensed trade and running pubs for two decades.

"In that time he has taken keys off people and advised them of the dangers of drink driving and it is ironic he should be appearing on this charge," said Mr Price. "He currently works in Chorley and he won't be able to continue that employment using public transport."

Mr Price said his client accepted that in the past there had been alcohol issues but he had since married and settled down.