Drink-driver from Three Holes who was caught in Upwell said he would have been ‘stranded in the village’

“I felt fine but that was no excuse,” a drink-driver, who would have been “stranded in the village” if he didn’t drive home, admitted in court.

Carl Barkham, 51, of Squires Drove in Three Holes, appeared at King’s Lynn’s Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he admitted to driving above the specified alcohol limit.

Prosecutor Paul Brown explained that on June 22 at around 10.45pm, police noticed that the Citroen Berlingo van driving with a blown headlight on New Road in Upwell.

Officers also noted issues with his registration plate which was another reason why he was initially pulled over.

Barkham admitted to officers straight away that he had drunk three to four pints before driving and officers conducted a breathalyser test, which returned a reading of 63mcg per 100ml of breath – the legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

Barkham, who appeared unrepresented in court, said: “I justified it to myself, I felt fine but that is no excuse.

“I couldn’t get hold of my wife and I was stranded in the village. I was drinking to escape grief, it’s what should have been my sister's birthday.”

Barkham added: “It was a decision I will regret for the rest of my life.”

Magistrates disqualified Barkham for 12 months and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £48 and court costs of £50.