A MAN was arrested for drink driving after suffering "a blowout" on a roundabout.

Russell Warner, of Park Street, Salisbury, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday.

Prosecuting, Kate Prince said police found Warner stood next to his car on Churchill Way West on April 30 after his tire blew out.

Police attempted to test Warner for alcohol, but for medical reasons he could not provide a breath sample.

Warner was taken to Melksham and gave a sample of blood, which showed he was over the legal limit.

Defending, William Griffiths said the 49-year-old had previous good character, and before the incident he had been in "quite a substantial amount of pain".

Mr Griffiths said Warner was suffering from a rare infectious disease presenting symptoms of "recurring pneumonia".

He said: "At the time, doctors didn't know what it was about. Having been in quite a bit of pain, [Warner] was invited to go with a friend to the Wyndham Arms, just round the corner from where he lived."

Mr Griffiths said Warner had "a couple of pints" before going home, but "in order to try and get off to sleep, he was drinking spirits".

The next morning Warner woke up and "felt okay and confident because of the alcohol" and "hopped in his car" and went to buy some milk, which was when he "suffered a blowout".

Mr Griffiths said Warner's decision to drive was "really a misjudgement that is going to have catastrophic effects on him" as he works as a self-employed plumber.

He said Warner had spent 12 hours in police custody and "the underlying causes" of his drinking were "being addressed".

Magistrate Elaine Stallard banned Warner from driving for 20 months and fined him £433, with costs of £85 and a £43 victim surcharge.