A man was found to be almost three times over the drink-drive limit after parking his van in the middle of a road, and then flying through red lights during a high speed police chase.
Joseph Sammon, of Brook Lane, Ormskirk, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit and driving without due care and attention at Preston Magistrates Court this morning (Tuesday).
Police were called after reports of "odd behaviour" from the driver of a blue Volkswagen Caddy van on Southport Road, Scarisbrick, on February 27.
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When they approached the van, which was parked in the middle of the road, at around 9am, Sammon took off down nearby Pool Hey Lane.
Shortly after, he stopped the vehicle, before mounting a high kerb twice.
Sammon then turned right at a give way, without stopping or indicating, before speeding off at 40mph, overtaking other vehicles, and flying through a red light.
When busy traffic in the area meant he eventually had to stop, officers recalled there was a "very evident smell of intoxicants" and said Sammon "struggled to stand".
A breathalyser test showed Sammon gave a reading of 103 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, almost three times the legal limit.
The court heard the 43-year-old has previous convictions including driving offences.
Sammon wept in court, while his solicitor, Mr Lee, read out a statement he had written, which said he was "very sorry, ashamed and embarrassed".
The court heard Sammon suffers with PTSD and other mental illnesses after witnessing hideous murders "many years ago".
Mr Lee said: "Two people were maimed and murdered, it was horrific. Sammon was arrested but later exonerated.
"What he witnessed still disturbs him and he has never got proper help for the trauma."
The court was told Sammon's PTSD had flared up the night before he was found by police and this is when he had begun drinking.
He had fallen asleep in his van, and says police had woken him up when they approached him at around 9am.
He is said to have been contemplating suicide.
As a self-employed builder, magistrates heard, Sammon losing his driving licence would have "devastating effects" on his career and his finances.
Sammon is said to have sought help for his mental health and is finding ways to deal with the trauma.
Magistrates today gave Sammon a 12-week curfew, between 9pm and 5.30am, with electronic monitoring.
As part of the sentence he must also carry out a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) for 20 days.
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