Drink driver from South Shields caught by cops at almost twice limit after going out to by cigarettes for friend

Michael Finley, 37, of Beach Road, South Shields, provided a positive reading when breathalysed at a petrol station on the A184 at Gateshead and later at a police station on New Year’s Eve, a court heard.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard he had been drinking with a friend and had been asked to go for cigarettes.

His breath test reading was 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The court was told Finley was handed a driving ban in 2005 and a conviction for driving while disqualified the following year, and overall has 15 previous criminal convictions for 22 offences.

Finley also admitted driving the Renault Clio without insurance.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson said: “He is seen driving on the road, then comes to a natural halt on the A184 at a petrol station.

“This driver is positive at the roadside and at the police station. He’s almost two times the limit.”

Neil Hodgson, defending, said: “His friend asked him to go and get some cigarettes. The police see him in the early hours of the morning and that is how this comes about.

“He apologies to the court, it was a stupid thing to do. It was basically, ‘Can you go and get some cigarettes’.”

Finley was fined £120 and must pay £85 court costs and £32 victim surcharge.