Jailed: Drink-driver who works with alcoholics was almost FIVE TIMES the limit on M54 in Shropshire

Patrick Guinane was seen drifting across lanes on the M54.

Guinane was stopped by officers when a concerned member of the public dialled 999 after seeing his Mercedes van swerving on the A5 in Shrewsbury at about 5.30pm on Saturday, July 29.

When the 53-year-old was pulled over a short time later, on the M54 at Telford, he was measured at 168 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Miss Abi Hall, prosecuting at Telford Magistrates Court on Monday, said: "Patrol officers waited near junction six and drove behind the van and were immediately aware of his bad driving.

"The defendant was drifting across lanes and at one point almost collided with another vehicle.

"Despite flashing using blue lights he did not notice them until the officers pulled alongside and motioned for him to pull over.

"He eventually stopped just pass junction five on the hard shoulder. The officers said he smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and he was struggling to stand."

Miss Hall said Guinane, a factory labourer, was arrested and taken to the police station. He admitted driving with excess alcohol.

The court heard that after being convicted for drink-driving in 2012, Guinane, who suffered from anxiety issues, attended a peer group where he eventually became a mentor for people with drinking problems.

Miss Emma Lineton, defending, said: "Unfortunately for him his 17-year relationship ended.

"On Saturday he was due to collect his belongings from north Wales and he became anxious. He recognises that what he did was wrong.

"He took to the road and found himself part way to north Wales, decided to turn around and make his way to Wolverhampton where he planned to park the van and take the tram home. He realised he was foolish."

Sentencing, District Judge Claire Evans said: "This was extremely serious. The police officer dealing with this case noted that in his whole career he had never come across such a high reading and that he was very alarmed as he feared that there was going to be a very serious accident.

"You were travelling at 70mph and were completely out of control of the van.

"It was only due to the good work of the officers who put themselves at risk, that you were pulled over.

"There is no doubt that this matter has crossed the custody threshold.

"The starting point under the sentencing guidelines is 12 weeks in custody. "

She jailed him for eight weeks and Guinane, of Trotters Lane, Hill Top, West Bromwich, will serve half of the term before being released on licence for 12 months. He was also banned from driving for four years.