A WORCESTERSHIRE man suffering from post-traumatic stress has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting getting behind the wheel while more than three times the drink-drive limit.

Denny Rankin appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to driving in Bishampton Road, Flyford Flavell, on Tuesday, March 24 with 130mcg of alcohol per 100 ml of breath – more than three times the legal limit of 35mcg.

Prosecutor Owen Beale said a witness called police at about 5.25pm to say they had seen a car swerving over both sides of the carriageway at 5.25pm, before eventually rolling backwards and coming to a stop, blocking the road.

“The witness realised the defendant was very drunk and took the keys away from him,” he said.

“The defendant kept insisting he was safe to drive and tried to get his keys back.”

Linda Holmes, defending, said the 32-year-old had been to a funeral that day and had been attending the wake at the nearby Boot Inn.

“He totally admits he had been drinking,” she said.

“He intended to drive his car from the car park to a lay-by as apparently there was building work at the pub and he couldn’t remain there.

“His plan was to leave it there and to walk back to get a lift home, which I understand is about eight miles.”

She said Rankin, of Field Barn Lane, Cropthorne, near Pershore, was suffering from post-traumatic stress following an incident in 2010 in which he was electrocuted while trying to save a colleague from being hurt.

“He has never got over what happened and has been suffering from post-traumatic stress since,” she said.

“In his way of dealing with that he has taken to drinking too much.

She added he was planning on attending rehabilitation sessions in an attempt to deal with his problems.

“His life has turned a bad corner and he is remorseful but he does understand the help has to come from him,” she said.

Handing Rankin a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, District Judge Nigel Cadbury said the fact that no one had been hurt did not mean the incident was less serious.

He also banned Rankin from driving for 32 months and ordered him to carry out 80 hours unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation.

Rankin was also ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.