A MOTORIST stopped in the early hours of the morning claimed he had not had a drink but then failed a roadside breath test.

Ashley Higson, of Grasscroft Way, Whalley, pleaded guilty at Blackburn magistrates to driving with excess alcohol.

Magistrates were told Higson committed the offence in a Nissan Navara Outlaw in Clitheroe on February 7.

The 28-year-old was banned from driving for 17 months.

Magistrates also fined Higson £300, with £85 prosecution costs and ordered him to pay a £30 victim surcharge.

Lisa Wilson, defending, told the court her client said he didn’t deny having any alcohol.

“He says he told the officer he had drunk three pints of Guinness during the course of the evening,” said Miss Wilson.

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She said Higson was employed in the family business as a delivery driver.

“His mother has said she will not make him redundant but it clearly puts her in a difficult position,” said Miss Wilson.