A TRAINEE electrician was on his way to console his partner when he was caught driving with excess alcohol.

Benjamin Daniel Syme, 22, was found to be two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit after a breath test showed he had 91 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, compared to the legal limit of 35mgs.

He was banned from driving for two years, fined £220 and was ordered to pay £100 costs after he admitted drink-driving in the early hours of April 17.

Flintshire magistrates heard Syme had been out for a few drinks after work and then returned home to bed. However, he was woken in the early hours by a phone call from his partner, who was in Chester with friends and was distressed following an incident.

He could not console her on the phone and she said she wanted to see him. Syme believed he would be all right to drive but he was arrested in Mold shortly before 3am.

Robert Blakemore, prosecuting, said an off-duty police sergeant was returning home from his shift when he came across a car obstructing his way.

The driver tried to reverse but he appeared sluggish. The officer became suspicious and when he checked he found the driver’s speech to be slurred.

The officer called for help and on-duty colleagues arrived and Syme provided a positive breath test and was arrested.

Magistrates were told Syme, of Well Street, Ruthin, was an apprentice electrician who was due to qualify next week and his employer had hoped he would then he able to go out on jobs under his own steam.

His employer had said his job would be reviewed and they would see if alternative arrangements could be made but it was clear his job could be at risk.