A GAS engineer suspected to be over the drink drive limit went into a house and tried to knock back a can of cider, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates heard how Paul Richard Moss, 29, who had his child in his Transit van with him, had been seen driving erratically by police officers. He refused to stay in the vehicle while a breath test kit was brought and went to what officers believed was his girlfriend's house.

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The defendant was stopped from drinking from the can and was arrested. He was argumentative and was taken to the police station.

The lowest of two tests showed 58 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Moss, of Tonacliffe Terrace, Whitworth, admitted driving with excess alcohol, on Moorland Crescent, Whitworth, on September 12.

He was fined £420, with a £42 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Moss was also banned from driving for 16 months.