A HUNGRY man paid a heavy price for his fast food craving after he was caught drink driving to McDonald's near Droitwich.
Malcolm Martin wanted a bite to eat and so drove to the restaurant in Wychbold, near Droitwich despite being more than twice the drink drive limit.
The 61-year-old of Scaife Road, Bromsgrove, was spotted by an officer at 4.55am on October 11 and was pulled over on the A38 at Wychbold.
Martin admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Friday.
Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said Martin had no previous convictions until this matter came to court. A roadside breath test revealed 72mcg alcohol in 100ml of breath and he was arrested.
A later, evidential reading at the police station showed a slightly lower level of 71mcg, still more than twice the limit of 35mcg.
Mark Turnbull, defending, said: "He is 61 years of age and has no previous convictions and has never been before a court. He has had a driving licence for over 30 years and never had any significant problems in that regard.
"He had been in a public house in Bromsgrove. He was socialising with friends and had some drinks. At around 11.15pm he went home in a taxi. He woke early, feeling hungry. He got in his car and drove to the nearest McDonald's.
"There had been a gap in drinking. He had gone home and gone to sleep. The alcohol was still in his system. It's an early hours of the morning after type scenario.
"He was confused and upset about finding himself in court today. But he said 'that's the law and I have broken it. I didn't realise it but I have'. He's a man of otherwise previous good character.
"He has recently been made redundant after 11 years with the same employer as a maintenance painter and decorator. That is a difficult scenario for him to be in. He is struggling with a level of anxiety and depression. He lives alone. His children have all grown up. He's living off savings at the moment."
Magistrates banned him from driving for 18 months, fined him £120, ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £105 and a victim surcharge of £20. He was also ordered to pay a court charge of £150. He was offered a drink drive rehabilitation course.
If completed successfully by October 14 next year the ban will end earlier, on December 14 next year.
