A MAN who was caught in charge of a Porsche in a McDonald’s car park, after drinking more than double the legal level of alcohol, has been spared a driving ban.
Manchester magistrates heard how Matthew Barstow, aged 30, of Bolton Road, Westhoughton, was found with the Porsche Panamera at the China Gardens McDonald’s in Bolton on October 15 last year.
Breath tests showed Barstow had 79 mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal drink drive limit is 35mcg.
Barstow denied being in charge of the vehicle while over the drink drive limit but was convicted following a trial.
He appealed to magistrates not to ban him from driving as he told the court that he works as an electrician and needs to drive a van to jobs.
Magistrates agreed there were mitigating circumstances and so, instead, added 10 penalty points to his licence.
Barstow was also fined £1,384 plus £763 in costs and charges.
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