A FLINTSHIRE man who had been to see his son play in a band in Chester was arrested for drink-driving on his way home.

Lesley Paul Lyon, 61, of Windmill, Pentre Halkyn, was spotted by police driving erratically on Sealand Road early on March 2, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, March 20.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving and received a 12-month driving ban.

Prosecuting, Amanda York said it was at 1.20am when police spotted Lyon driving his green Mitsubishi and appeared to be tapping his brakes for no reason, and had strayed over the central line on two occasions.

When stopped and asked if he had been drinking, Lyon replied: "I have had a couple, yeah."

After initially refusing to get in the back of the police car, Lyon co-operated with the drink-drive test and blew 49 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, compared to the legal limit of 35.

When interviewed, he said he had been to see his son in a band and had not eaten that day.

He had seven convictions for eight previous offences, the last in 2018 for battery.

Lyon, defending himself, said: "There is no excuse for drinking and driving. I am not in the habit of that."

He added he had drunk one pint in the afternoon with two further pints that evening, and had not had anything to eat.

He explained he lived remotely in Pentre Halkyn with his wife, who had Huntington's, and there were no bus routes.

He said he had diabetes and was at risk of getting coronavirus and had respiratory issues.

Lyon added: "I can only beg for leniency."

Magistrates imposed the minimum 12-month driving ban, with the option of Lyon taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course which would reduce his ban by one third.

He must pay a £120 fine plus £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.