A 70-YEAR-OLD Somersham motorist left the road to avoid another vehicle that reversed into his path, Huntingdonshire magistrates heard. Now Charles Moss, of High Street, is off the road for 12 months after losing his licence for drink-driving. Tracy Belli

A 70-YEAR-OLD Somersham motorist left the road to avoid another vehicle that reversed into his path, Huntingdonshire magistrates heard.

Now Charles Moss, of High Street, is off the road for 12 months after losing his licence for drink-driving.

Tracy Bellingham, prosecuting, said police who attended the accident smelled intoxicating liquor on his breath and gave him a roadside test. He was later found to have a breath-alcohol level of 53 microgrammes per 100 millilitres. The legal limit is 35.

"It is not suggested that the accident was caused by him. He had taken avoiding action," Mrs Bellingham told the court.

Moss said he had been driving for 50 years without previous offence. "It was the first time I had done this and it will be the last.

"The car was essential to my employment. It was a stupid thing to do," he told the court.

He was also fined £300 and ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs. His ban will be reduced by three months if he successfully completes a drink-driving rehabilitation course before September.