A DRINK driver, who sped through Bolton at 65mph because he was late for a train, has been banned from driving for 18 months.

Gulam Sadek, 30, pleaded guilty to charges of driving without due care and attention and driving while above the alcohol limit following the incident on November 21, 2019.

Appearing at Bolton Crown Court for sentencing, Sadek was also handed a £500 fine and ordered to pay costs of £300 after the travel agent claimed he was suffering financial hardship following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on his industry.

Summarising the case, Judge Timothy Stead said Sadek was spotted by police at around 8.20pm driving his BMW through a red light at speed on Blackburn Road.

Officers set off in pursuit of Sadek who was seen driving on the wrong side of the road and overtaking several cars at speeds of around 65mph in a 30mph zone.

Sadek, of Hallbridge Gardens, Bolton, gave a positive roadside breath test of 53mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Sadek later told officers his passenger was running late for a train.

Sentencing Sadek, Judge Stead added: “Your driving was reprehensible and driving in this fashion illegally while over the limit has to be met with an appropriate penalty.”

Sadek will have six months to pay the penalty.