Ex-Scotland captain Colin Hendry to contest driving ban

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-31726107

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Ex-Scotland captain Colin Hendry is to contest a driving ban on the grounds his "rare metabolism" would have affected his breathalyser reading.

Hendry, 49, was stopped in Lytham, Lancashire, on 21 February, and later charged with drinking and driving.

The former Blackburn Rovers defender admitted the offence at Blackpool Magistrates' Court.

But his solicitor said the level of alcohol consumed did not "correlate" to his breath sample reading.

The court heard Hendry registered 63 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath - above the legal limit of 35 micrograms in England.

Sample questioned

During the hearing, solicitor Glyn Lewis said either Hendry had some alcohol in his system he was unaware of, or he had a "quite rare" metabolism which meant a correct reading would not be given.

Mr Lewis, who specialises in defending motoring cases, said the prosecution's case was accepted but the alcohol reading was disputed.

"The question is why is the sample read what it is reading," he said.

Hendry, of Coopers Row, Lytham, was arrested while driving his blue Ford Focus in Church Road at about 01:15 GMT.

He stood in the witness box and confirmed his address and date of birth before pleading guilty.

The court adjourned for a "special reasons" hearing for Hendry to call evidence from a forensic service scientist.

He will also call two witnesses who were with him on the night.

Initial forensic tests conducted on behalf of Hendry found the figures did not correlate and further investigation was needed, Mr Lewis said.

He said the court had the option not to disqualify Hendry from driving but allow the conviction to stand.

Hendry was granted unconditional bail until 22 April.

He captained his country and played in both the 1996 European Championship and the World Cup two years later.

Hendry was also a member of the Blackburn side which won the Premier League title in 1994-95.