A MAN what was caught drink-driving had done so to help his asthmatic partner, a court heard.

Karl Sunderland, of Woodfield Avenue in Flint, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 57-year-old admitted that on May 1, he drove a Mazda RX-8 in Maes Gwyn, Flint, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath exceeded the prescribed limit.

He was found to have 52 microgrammes, the limit being 35.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, said police on patrol in prince of Wales Avenue at around 1.40am in the morning saw the Mazda driving at excess speed.

They followed and illuminated their blue lights, causing the vehicle to stop in Maes Gwyn.

READ MORE: Wrexham drug dealer avoids jail

The driver was identified as Sunderland and officers noted the smell of intoxicants on his breath.

He later gave the breath reading with which he was subsequently charged.

Nick Cross, defending, said his client had made a "very short" journey of about half a mile in order to help his partner, who has asthma and was "breathless."

The dad-of-two had gone to get her inhaler, Mr Cross told the court.
"He wishes to apologise," Mr Cross said.

"It was an error of judgement."

READ MORE: Woman fined for 'broad daylight' scuffle with partner's ex in town centre

Deputy District Judge Paul Conlon told the defendant: "You shouldn't have driven at all that night."

He handed down a fine of £280 and ordered the defendant to pay £85 costs as well as a £34 victim surcharge.

Sunderland was banned from driving for 15 months.

Make sure you don't miss the top court stories of the week by signing up to our free court newsletter