A MAN who had taken a taxi home from a night out got in his car and drove back to the pub when he realised he had left his phone.

Blackburn magistrates heard police stopped Liam Chippendale after seeing him walk out of the Union Exchange in Colne at 4.30 am, get in his car and drive off.

Chippendale, 26, of York Street, Barnoldswick, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 15 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 150 hours unpaid work. He was banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge. The court was told Chippendale had a previous excess alcohol conviction in 2019.

Graeme Tindall, prosecuting, said when officers approached Chippendale after he had pulled into McDonalds he was clearly under the influence of drink.

He said to the officers; "I can't believe how stupid I have been, I just went back for my phone. You can't let me off can you?"

Chippendale gave a roadside reading of 90 against the legal limit. At the police station he made several attempts to give a sample but stopped blowing before a sufficient sample had been recorded.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had co-operated at the roadside but at the police station he was panicking.

"He had been for a night out and had no intention of driving," said Mr Taylor. "When he realised he had left his phone he took the stupid risk of driving back to the pub."