GREATER Manchester Police arrested 54 people for drink driving in the weekend leading up to Christmas.

Among those was a man spotted drinking a ‘can of beer’ at the wheel on Crompton Way

Allen Thompson, of no fixed abode was pulled over at around 4.10pm on December 21 2018.

Police claimed they saw him drinking a can of beer, while he was driving.

Prosecuting, Shazia Aslam told Bolton Magistrates’ Court that Thompson was taken to Bury Police Station, where a breath test revealed he had 52mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - above the legal limit of 35mg/100ml.

The 42-year-old’s defence solicitor Rahil Khan said: “He consumed alcohol a few hours before but he thought he’d be under the drink drive limit.

“For a long time he has been susceptible to unpredictable behaviour and this can be brought on by alcohol. He has now taken steps to reduce his recent regression.”

Thompson pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level is above limit. He was banned from driving for 15 months and given a £120 fine. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Ivano Pillitieri, 47, was caught at around 3.30pm on Christmas Eve.

According to prosecution solicitor Shazia Aslam at Bolton Magistrates’ Court, his car crossed a police car’s path on the junction of Marsden Road and Moor Lane, causing it to turn away and brake sharply.

After being taken to Swinton Police Station and searched, Pillitieri was also found to be in possession of a small snap bag of cocaine. His breath sample showed 56mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Defending, Kamran Yousaf said: “He is extremely embarrassed and remorseful.

“He was on his way out to enjoy the festivities and it was clearly and evidently obvious that he was in excess of prescribed limit.

“The cocaine was for personal use. There was a very minute amount in the bag.”

He pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit and possessing a controlled drug of Class A.

Pillitieri, of Albert Street, Burnley was banned from driving for 15 months. He was also fined £350 in fines and ordered to pay court costs of £85, and a £30 victim surcharge.

25-year-old Jordan Smiley was arrested just after noon on December 21 2018, after police responded to reports of a domestic incident on St Johns Court, Westhoughton.

He had driven to his mother’s house to speak to her after an argument over the phone.

Prosecution solicitor Shazia Aslam, at Bolton Magistrates’ Court said that police had to chase Smiley across a field, before arresting him and taking him to Swinton Police station where a breath sample showed 53mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Defending Smiley, Rahil Khan said: “Since early 2018, Mr Smiley has developed a reliance on alcohol.

“He lost his job in 2017, he’s heavily in debt, and he suffers with anxiety, depression, and stress.

“He drank vodka the night before and he had been arguing with his mum over the phone and text. Due to his anxiety the argument was such that he felt the need to confront her.”

Smiley, of Manchester Road, Blackrod pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with alcohol level above limit. He was banned for 12 months, fined £120, as well as ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.