A LYMM drink driver has been spared jail due to his ‘caring responsibilities’.

Police received reports of ‘an intoxicated man’ driving from the Co-op in Lymm and this was later discovered to be William Massey – who has previous convictions relating to driving with excess alcohol.

The 55-year-old, of Massey Brook Lane, appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court last Thursday after pleading guilty to failing to provide specimen for analysis.

Prosecuting, Ashley Simpson said the defendant was seen to be drink driving on June 19 when leaving the Co-op in Lymm.

As a result, police attended Massey’s address and knocked at his door.

Ms Simpson said that when Massey answered, he appeared to be intoxicated so officers asked him to perform a breath test.

However, he refused and closed the door on them. As a result, Massey was arrested for drink driving.

After his arrest, he did agree to provide a breath sample – and provided a reading of 108mg when the legal limit is 80mg.

When asked to provide a further sample, Massey refused – forming the charge of failing to provide specimen for analysis.

The court heard that Massey has six previous convictions for 10 offences – including driving with excess alcohol in 2014.

Defending, Mr Farley asked the magistrates to give Massey full credit for his guilty plea.

Mr Farley said: “Foolishly he became a little bit annoyed with the police because of the way that they were treating him by handcuffing him – so he deliberately didn’t cooperate with them.”

The court heard how Massey cares for his elderly mother and father and that if he were to serve an immediate custodial sentence, this would have a ‘harmful’ impact on others.

Mr Farley also added how his client has been engaging with alcohol anonymous since his arrest.

Before sentencing, the chair of the magistrates' bench said: “As you have been made aware, this case does pass the custody threshold.

“But we are not going to send you to prison.”

The court heard how the magistrates decided to suspend Massey’s prison sentence due to his caring responsibilities for his parents and prospect of rehabilitation.

He was handed a 12-week custodial sentence suspended for two years and must complete up to 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Massey has also been disqualified from driving for four years.