A MAN who told magistrates that being convicted of drink-driving for the first time at nearly 60 'wasn't bad' has been banned from the road.

Philip Renahan, 57, said he took "all reasonable steps" – including 'drinking coffee' – before getting behind the wheel. However, he admitted he "couldn't deny the numbers" when he was found to be over the limit.

Renahan, of the Gavel in Sturminster Newton, admitted drink-driving at Weymouth Magistrates' Court last week.

He was pulled over by police in Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton, at 1.30pm on January 15.

Police said they knew "immediately" Renahan had been drinking as his "eyes were glassy and lips were trembling".

He was found to have 57 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Renahan, who was unrepresented at the court, told magistrates he had been drinking while watching American football the evening before the incident.

He said he had stopped drinking at 10pm when he went to bed.

The defendant said he drank coffee in the morning and delayed driving for three hours in order to ensure he was safe to drive.

He said: "I felt fine.

"I did what I thought were reasonable steps to avoid it, but you can't deny the numbers."

When questioned by magistrates, Renahan said he could not remember how much he'd had to drink the night before.

"I have not been done for drink-driving before and I'm nearly 60. The first time at nearly 60 is not bad," he said.

Renahan was banned from driving for a year and fined £120.