Drink-driver: It Was The Pate

[mrmoshe]

DRINK-DRIVER: IT WAS THE PATE

A KEEN amateur cook tried to dodge a drink-drive ban - by blaming his recipe for home-made fish pate.

Max Hallas claimed he was tipped over the drink limit when he sampled mackerel pate spiced up with sloe gin.

Police arrested Max, 74, after spotting him driving his Ford Fiesta erratically near his home in Pwllheli, North Wales.

Elen Owen, prosecuting, told the court it was clear Max had been drinking - but he told officers he had been sampling food with drink in it.

Blood tests showed Max was just over the legal driving limit. His lawyer Michael Strain told Pwllheli magistrates: "On that day he had family and friends around.

"He was making a home-made mackerel pate with sloe gin - also home-made. The dish is something of a family tradition.

"He does partake of the sloe gin when he makes it and that was the reason for the alcohol registered."

Max changed a plea of not guilty to guilty after taking expert advice. He was banned for three years, fined £300 and ordered to pay £80 costs.