A builder who popped into a social club for a few pints before getting in his tipper truck and driving home afterwards has been banned from driving.

Trevor Booker, 65, had been spotted by police in a patrol car sipping a pint outside the venue in Chatham.

Officers had seen him drinking at about 5.50pm on November 15 and then watched him go back inside for a short while before coming back out and getting into his truck and driving off.

They then decided to follow Booker, of Ewart Road, Chatham, and pulled him over in Chestnut Avenue, Walderslade.

When they spoke to him they thought he may be intoxicated and officers said he had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet.

He was asked do breathalyser test which proved positive and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Booker was then taken to Medway Police Station in Gillingham, but once there he refused to do any further breath tests.

Police procedure dictates officers request people suspected of drink-driving take three tests to confirm they are over the limit.

The lowest reading is then used to charge people if they blow above 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit in the UK.

After refusing, Booker, who runs his own building firm, was charged with failing to provide a specimen and driving whilst unfit through drink.

He appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on January 5 where he admitted both charges.

Sidumiso Mayo, prosecuting, said: "There was no medical reason for not taking the tests, he refused to do so."

Defending himself, Booker who has never been before the courts before, told district judge Stephen Leake, he was a good person and usually got a cab home if he was going to drink.

Booker added: "I've been under a little bit of pressure recently and my son has just gone to Australia taking my grandson with him and I miss him.

"I usually get a Uber home and I know what I did that night was not right, but I did what I did.

"I own a little business and it will affect me as I have to pick up people and take them to work, but I will have to sort something out as it's something I should not have done.

"I did drink too much that night and I don't normally. I wish I did the tests at the station."

Judge Leake told Booker the offence was serious and it was extremely dangerous to drive a vehicle while intoxicated.

Booker was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £480.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £192 and £85 costs and if Booker completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.