A MAN who rowed with his partner following the England vs Germany Euro 2020 football match was later caught drink-driving in Chester.

Jonathan Loomes, 37, of Crescent Road, New Barnet, Barnet, was stopped by officers in the early hours of June 30.

Loomes, appearing at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, July 23, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Prosecuting, Luke Unsworth said it was initially at 12.30am when police were called to a report of a domestic incident, where a man and woman – both intoxicated – were arguing and the woman wanted the man – Loomes – out of the house.

Police advised Loomes not to drive in the car that was on the driveway, saying there were several hotels nearby.

But at 4.40am, police on patrol saw the car was no longer on the driveway and later saw Loomes parked elsewhere.

He failed a roadside breath test and, in custody, blew a reading of 71 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of alcohol – just over double the legal limit of 35.

He had one previous convictions from 2003.

Defending himself, Loomes said he was "embarrassed and ashamed" of what he had done.

He had offered to give the woman a lift to Chester and they went to the pub to watch the England vs Germany game that evening.

They returned to the house, where whisky was consumed, and an argument broke out.

The defendant said he was told to leave and, not knowing the area, decided to sleep in the car.

After a few hours of "broken sleep", he said he made the "stupid decision" to drive.

Magistrates handed Loomes a 20-month driving ban and ordered him to pay a £350 fine, plus £85 court costs and a £35 victim surcharge.