A man from Swindon has been banned from driving after a costly visit to the pub for an England game. 

Michael Forty, 68, from Chevalier Close, Middleleaze, went to the Windmill pub with his wife to watch the England Euro match against The Netherlands on July 11. 

While there he drank 'two to three pints' over a six-hour period and then decided to make the short drive home. 

He was then approached by officers and asked to carry out a breathalyser test, but refused to do so, and then refused to do so again while at the police station. 

The case was held at Swindon Magistrates Court on July 30, where Forty pleaded guilty to failing to provide and Magistrates heard that he had not been in trouble with police before. 

The court heard how the defendant had found himself becoming an angry man due to ongoing health issues relating to hip replacements and resulting cobalt toxicity.

His defence counsel argued that he refused to give a sample because of issues over his health and the hygiene of the breathalyser.

They added: "He is incredibly remorseful that this happened, he does not recognise in himself the man who had these angry outbursts and was so rude to these officers, he is ashamed that he ended up in court and feels embarrassed and feels he has let the family down."

It was argued that because of his health conditions, the usual community order with unpaid work would not be suitable for Forty, with his defence counsel instead saying he had agreed to pay an increased fine. 

Magistrates agreed, telling him: "We have the option of increasing a fine and that is what we’ve done."

Forty was ordered to pay a fine of £451, a surcharge of £194 and costs of £85, totalling £730. 

He was also disqualified from driving for 17 months.