AN Amazon delivery driver has told a court he will lose his livelihood after being caught speeding while over the legal drink-drive limit in Carlisle.

Jordan Fishwick, a 26-year-old man with no previous convictions, appeared in front of city magistrates today (Tuesday).

Prosecutor Lee Dacre told how a police officer was parked at the top of Eden Bridge on the main A7 road at around 9pm on Friday, December 1.

“He was using a speed radar gun and saw a Ford Transit van which appeared to be travelling over the speed limit,” said Mr Dacre.

The driver was clocked at 44mph in the 30mph zone.

Mr Dacre said: “The vehicle was pulled over by the police officer. The defendant (Fishwick) was the driver.”

He failed a road side breath test, was arrested and taken into custody. At a police station the lowest evidential reading he gave showed 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mr Dacre said of Fishwick: “He was fully co-operative with the police officer who stopped him. When required to do so he provided his correct details and he complied with both breath test procedures.”

In court, Fishwick, of Rampkin Pastures, Appleby, admitted drink-driving and speeding charges.

“It was careless,” Fishwick told magistrates of his offending. “I shouldn’t have done it, essentially. Where I was stopped it was where I was stopping anyway.”

Fishwick was asked whether the mandatory driving ban heading his way would affect his work.

“Massively,” he replied. “I’m a delivery driver out of the Amazon depot (in north Cumbria). All my income is my livelihood.”

Fishwick said he was likely to lose his job as a result of the offences and had not yet been able to line up alternative work.

He handed a character reference to magistrates before they retired to consider their punishment.

Fishwick was fined £923 and ordered to pay costs which took his total court bill to £1,377.

“That sounds like a lot of money,” lead magistrate Jennifer Wilkinson told the defendant. “If you do end up losing your job you can come back to court and explain (any payment difficulties).”

Fishwick was banned from driving for 12 months with immediate effect. He accepted the offer of a drink-drive rehabilitation course which, if completed, will reduce his disqualification length by 12 weeks.