A MAN arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after being seen by police staggering from his car wearing his dressing gown refused to give a breath sample.

Blackburn magistrates heard David James Aitken had three previous excess alcohol convictions.

Aitken, 40, of Jubilee Close, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 100 hours' unpaid work and a curfew for two months between 10pm and 6am.

He was banned from driving for 36 months and ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and £50 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said police attended at the defendant's home address after a call from his wife to say he had threatened her with a knife.

They saw a red Audi being driven onto a drive and then Aitken got out of the car and nearly fell over.

He was obnoxious and difficult with the police and refused to co-operate even after he had been arrested and taken to the police station.