Bedlington drink driver caught after girlfriend called police following argument

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A drink driver has been banned from the roads after he was caught after his girlfriend phoned the police.

Dad-of-two Christopher Armstrong and his partner had been arguing at their Bedlington home when he decided to get behind the wheel of his Kia Sportage in a bid to "calm down".

However, the 31-year-old was unaware that the woman had phoned the police and officers were waiting for him when he returned minutes later.

Armstrong then failed a roadside breath test and was arrested.

The Nissan worker, of Burnside, in Bedlington Station, has now been banned from the roads for 20 months after he pleaded guilty to one count of driving with excess alcohol.

Rehana Haque, prosecuting at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court, said the police were called to the couple's address on the evening of July 30 this year.