Painter and decorator loses his job after being caught drink-driving in Barrow residential street

Anthony Mark Corrie, of Dennett Road, in Knowsley, appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with drink-driving.

Corrie, 39, pleaded guilty to the offence after being found in Winchester Street, Barrow, almost three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said: "This man attracted the attention of the police at 5.22am on Saturday November 12.

"A witness was working at a property in a residential road when they heard what sounded like metal on metal.

"They looked out of the window and saw a dark-coloured vehicle driving very slowly with sparks coming of it.

"Police arrived at the area and located a Vauxhall Vextra vehicle with a tyre missing.

"The defendant was sitting in the driver's seat with the keys in the ignition."

<strong> More from court: Barrow drink driver receives ban after refusing to provide a breath test </strong>

The court heard how Corrie already had five convictions for eight offences between 2003 and 2014.

When breathalysed Corrie was found to have 92 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Andrew Gibson, defending, said a disqualification would have a severe impact on his client.

He said: "Mr Corrie has been up here working. He is a self-employed painter and decorator who had been contracted to work in the area.

"Evidently, losing his licence means that he will not be able to follow that line of employment anymore so will have no option but to sign on as unemployed.

"He can't actually remember driving the vehicle but accepts that he must have done."

<strong> More from court: Barrow drink driver receives ban after refusing to provide a breath test </strong>

Magistrates decided to disqualify Corrie from driving for 24 months in addition to carrying out unpaid work.

He has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work over a period of 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.