Forbidden drink ends in ban

Philip Lomax had previously had a drink problem and his wife was upset when she found he had drunk alcohol for the first time since March.

She stormed off following a bar meal and he drove away in his Volvo S70.

Police officers spoke to him as he parked the car outside his home and he failed a roadside breath test.

Chesterfield magistrates heard that Lomax, 54, was arrested and gave a reading of 90mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, the limit being 35mcgs.

Lomax, of Model Village, Creswell, admitted drink-driving on 27th October.

He committed the same offence in 2004.

He was banned from driving for three years and ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work, with £85 costs and a £60 surcharge to a victims-of-crime fund.

His solictor, Melanie Hoffman, said he was worried about the repercussions the ban could have on his job.

She said he gained work in July for Enable as a group finance officer.

He travelled around various care homes and checking the funds.

Lomax had been under pressure with debt problems and a work presentation and ‘everything got too much for him’ on the day of the offence.

“He went out with his wife for a meal.”

“He had been tee-total for a considerable time and she was upset he had a drink.”

“The period without drink may have affected his ability to absorb the alcohol.”

“Since then he hasn’t had a drink and doesn’t want a drink,” added Ms Hoffman.