DRINK driver Keir Johnston switched his car lights off as he was followed by the police through Mepal in the early hours. But when he reached a dead end he stopped – and officers spotted cans of lager on the back seat of his Rover car. Twenty-three-year-o

DRINK driver Keir Johnston switched his car lights off as he was followed by the police through Mepal in the early hours.

But when he reached a dead end he stopped - and officers spotted cans of lager on the back seat of his Rover car.

Twenty-three-year-old Johnston said he had consumed "a couple", and admitted he had driven off because he knew he would be over the alcohol limit.

"Officers had been puzzled to see a vehicle travelling along School Lane in Mepal at 12.20am on a Sunday," prosecutor Matthew Bradbury told Ely magistrates.

"They turned round to have a word with the driver, and as they went round a corner the vehicle had gone, and they could see the vehicle in the High Street with its lights off."

Johnston was followed to Bridge Road. His breathalyser test changed immediately to red, and he was arrested.

He later gave a test reading of 94 mgs of alcohol in 100 mls of blood, when the limit is 80 mgs.

Mitigating, Robert Milsom said Johnston had driven that night because he received a call from his disabled grandmother, who was in danger of having a fall.

"It would have taken him 40 minutes to walk, so he decided to get into the car, although he had been drinking.

"At the time he drank he had no reason to suppose he would have been put in a position where he felt under some obligation to drive."

Johnston was banned from driving for a year and fined £125 with £80 costs.