A lorry driver who was found drunk behind the wheel will keep his licence after a defence solicitor said a driving ban would lead to the defendant losing his job.

Police attended Bridge Road industrial estate in Egremont on the evening of October 13 after a member of the public reported a male who appeared to be drunk behind the wheel of an HGV.

Officers attended and found Christopher Newton, 39, in the driver’s seat, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said it was apparent that he was intoxicated. An empty bottle of vodka was in the cab with him.

Newton told police he had had two cans. Police informed him a woman had seen him drinking from a bottle of vodka and he said that was true.

The keys were in the ignition and the ignition was on, the court heard.

He got out of the HGV and was “clearly very unsteady on his feet”, having to steady himself on the edge of the lorry.

Newton was breathalysed and gave a sample of 87mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

At the police station, he gave a reading of 88mcg in 100ml of breath.

The defendant explained he was planning to drive between 6am and 7am the following morning.

Ms Fee said it was clear from his demeaner he wasn’t going to be fit to drive.

Matt Simpson, defending, said: “He expresses sincerest remorse. He is a man of good character. He has not been before the court before. He is deeply remorseful.

“He is an HGV driver. He spends his nights in his vehicle – that’s the nature of his work.  He has explained what happened. He co-operated with police.

“He fully accepts he had been drinking on that occasion. It’s clearly an aggravating factor that he was in charge of an HGV.

“He may have been unfit to drive at 7 o’clock in the morning but he may not have been. That’s mere speculation.

“He was going to sleep it off and spend the night in his cab.

“With regards to disqualification, he has an HGV licence. If you take his licences off him, he is going to lose his job.

“That is going to have a hugely adverse impact on his family. He is the breadwinner in the family.”

A statement was read out to the court from Newton’s employer, Bulman’s Bulk, which said his employment would be terminated if he lost his licences.

Newton, of Mulberry Drive, Spennymoor, Durham, pleaded guilty to being in charge of motor vehicle with alcohol level above the limit.

Magistrates decided not to ban Newton from driving and added 10 penalty points to his licence.

He was fined £650 and must pay £85 costs and a £260 victim surcharge.

MORE FROM COURT: Man denies stealing £1,623 from employer