Judge admits drink-drive charge

Bruce Macmillan failed a roadside breath test after being stopped

A former crown court judge who was found with half a bottle of vodka in his car has admitted drink-driving.

Officers stopped Bruce Macmillan's car on the M6 near Chorley, Lancashire, last month when they spotted him driving erratically.

He gave a positive breath test and was later arrested. He then resigned as a Liverpool Crown Court judge.

Macmillan, 63, of Aigburth, Merseyside, admitted the charge at Chorley Magistrates' Court.

Energy drink

Prosecutor Adrian Hollanby told the court that when officers stopped Macmillan they found the vodka and an empty can of an energy drink in the passenger footwell of his car.

The policeman then asked Macmillan if he had drunk alcohol in the last 20 minutes and he denied it, adding: "I've not had a drink today, officer."

A roadside breath test proved positive, and when the judge was tested again at Leyland police station the reading was 111 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Stuart Driver QC, defending, said Macmillan went into hospital for treatment by specialists, including seeing a psychiatrist, soon after his arrest.

He said: "Currently Mr Macmillan is receiving treatment for his difficulties."

Macmillan resigned as a circuit judge, giving up a £128,000 annual salary, after being arrested.

He will be sentenced at Chorley Magistrates' Court on 12 November for driving with excess alcohol.

Magistrates imposed an interim driving ban and released him on unconditional bail.