A MAN who was nearly three times the drink drive limit decided to get behind the wheel because he was afraid he was being followed by a gang after a night out.

Steven Cartwright of Grasshopper Avenue, St Peter’s, Worcester, admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

The court heard how the 31-year-old was stopped driving a Ford Transit van in St Peter’s Drive, Worcester, on January 15.

A breath test revealed 103mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – nearly three times the limit of 35mcg.

Samantha Webley, prosecuting, said police found the offside front tyre had a puncture and officers saw he was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

Susie Duncan, defending, said Cartwright had been out in Worcester celebrating a friend’s birthday, first parking his van outside a friend’s house in Bath Road, before walking into the city centre.

Mrs Duncan said there was an incident in Bushwackers nightclub which involved a clash of shoulders between Cartwright and another customer which caused a spilled drink.

He thought his friend had left before him and left the club, but was followed by a group of four or five males, Mrs Duncan said.

“They’re shouting abuse at him and asking him for cigarettes.

"He doesn’t know whether its connected with the Bushwackers incident previously. He’s alone, there’s a group and he starts to run.”

When Cartwright arrived at his friend’s house, where he had planned to stay, he knocked on the door, but no-one was in.

Mrs Duncan said: “There was an element of fear that crept in. He was aware that these youths were still in the area.

"He made the decision to drive home, but on the way home there was a problem with the tyre and the tyre burst.”

Mrs Duncan said Cartwright had worked since the age of 16, but because of the inevitable driving ban would lose his job as a domestic appliance service engineer with Hotpoint with immediate effect.

The court also heard how Cartwright had been in a long-term relationship which broke down 18 months ago and had now moved in with a friend.

Cartwright was given a community order for 12 months to include 12 months supervision and was banned from driving for 24 months.

If he successfully completes the drink impaired drivers course his ban will be reduced by six months. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs.