A drink-driving ICAEW member who pulled out in front of a police car causing it to perform an emergency stop, has been banned from driving for 16 months.

High Peak Magistrates' Court heard that a police community support officer and a special constable were on mobile patrol on Mellor Road, New Mills, Derbyshire, just after 8pm on April 29. As they approached a junction, a Land Rover pulled in front of them, causing them to do an emergency stop, prosecutor John Cooper said.

The driver of the Land Rover, 58-year-old accountant Garry Neil Lomas, pulled into Bogguard Road and was spoken to by the officers, who discovered that he smelt strongly of alcohol.

Lomas subsequently failed a roadside breath test and was taken back to the police station where he provided a reading of 51. The legal limit is 35. Lomas, of Chester Road, Manchester, admitted drink-driving.

Bernard Begley, defending, said Lomas had been made bankrupt recently and was currently on medication for depression.

'He had gone to see a client in Hayfield in a pub. At that stage he did have a pint. He had another appointment at 8pm and as he left the pub he saw two other clients who collared him for advice and he had a drink with them,' he added.

Lomas was fined £128 and ordered to pay a £20 surcharge and £85 costs. He was also banned for 16 months.