A PROFESSIONAL driver was arrested after using his car to return a lamp he had bought despite being more than twice over the legal limit.

After telling staff in The Range, in Kidderminster, he felt unwell, Phillip Gray was seen by a paramedic who was concerned about the smell of alcohol and the fact he had planned on driving himself home.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said it was at this point on February 8 that the police were called.

"He [Gray] was a The Range store in Kidderminster and he appeared confused to staff in the shop who called an ambulance," Mr Soper said.

"The paramedic who attended was concerned about the smell of alcohol, and he [Gray] told him he intended to drive home."

The paramedic called the police who carried out a roadside breath test. The reading was 80 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - over the legal limit of 35 mcg in 100 ml.

In interview, the 69-year-old admitted to driving to the store from his home in Doverdale Avenue, Kidderminster, as well as comfirming his intention to drive home.

In mitigation, Sunil Jagatia said Gray had not been drinking that morning and that the excess alcohol in his body was from the night before.

"The day before he had had a slip and fall at his home address. He managed to get up but was quite shook up. He didn't want to go to the hospital and managed to sit down. He started drinking and confirms he had quite a bi to drink and fell asleep," he said.

"He got up in the morning and realised a lamp he had bought was broken and got in the car. He was feeling fine then, but it was at the store when he felt unwell and told staff."

There was no evidence that Gray, who had been driving for more than 40 years with much of that time as a professional coach and lorry driver before his health deteriorated, had driven to the store when police attended before made full and frank admissions when asked.

Gray pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 5.

Chairman of the magistrates Jill Gramann disqualified him from driving for 18 months and fined him £160. Gray was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.