A DRINK driver was seen trying to start his car with his glasses case before being caught more than three times over the legal limit.

Christopher Moorhouse, 62, was at a petrol station where concerns were expressed about his behaviour.

Police were alerted when it was thought he might drive off in his car.

Moorhouse, of High Street, Spetisbury, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle when above the limit when he appeared at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court.

The charge refers to an incident in Salisbury Street, Blandford on Sunday, July 7.

The proportion of alcohol in his breath was found to be 121 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - exceeding the prescribed limit of 35 microgrammes.

Tara Olney, prosecuting, said: “Between 4pm and 5pm the defendant had gone to a petrol station in Blandford where he told staff he had broken down.

“Staff said he smelled of intoxicants and was not making sense, staring at staff and not reacting when they spoke.

“Staff asked him to leave but he did not react and was disrupting other customers.

“He was then seen crying and walking around the forecourt.

“A witness said they saw Moorhouse stumbling across the forecourt towards his vehicle.

“He was searching for his keys and when he could not find them, he was seen trying to start his engine using his glasses case.

“Police were called due to concern he would eventually be able to start his vehicle.

“One empty bottle of VSOP brandy was found in his car and another which was full.

“CCTV from the petrol station showed evidence of the car being driven."

She added: “In a police interview, he said he does not remember what happened.

“He remembers being sat in the car but did not think he was driving.

“He had been to Tesco in the morning and had bought two bottles of brandy.

“He had been sipping the bottles but did not think he had drunk that much."

Michael Stocken, mitigating, requested the case be adjourned so that a report could be provided by the defendant's GP before sentencing.

The case was adjourned until September 26.

Moorhouse was released on unconditional bail.