A man who previously said cocaine “saved his life” after being the subject of false allegations told a court he drove under the influence of the drug while he was "under duress".

Philip Grundy was caught behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta on Kensington Drive in Horwich at 3am on January 11 this year.

Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court heard the 67-year-old was found to be under the influence of cocaine.

Gee Leung, prosecuting, said: “The defendant had been stopped due to due to driving at excessive speed.

“He claimed he was trying to meet a friend despite the time being 3am.

“It raised the officers’ suspicion.

“A roadside test was done and it showed he was positive for cocaine.”

The court heard he was 16 times over the legal limit.

Grundy, of Julia Mews, Horwich, admitted driving under the influence previously and appeared in court to be sentenced.

His defence solicitor previously told a court he had been brought down from his roles as a teacher and businessman due to false allegations and said cocaine had “saved his life".

On this occasion he represented himself.

He said: “I thought I was under the limit.

“I would never dream of driving if I thought I was over the limit.

“That is something that has come as a total shock to me.

“I would not dream of driving if I thought I was a danger on the road.

“I was under duress to drive.

“There had been a number of people come in my house because of certain situations.

“I felt if I hadn’t driven he would have taken the keys from me.”

Chair of the bench Adrian Hardy imposed a community order to last for a year.

Grundy was ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, complete a drug rehabilitation requirement and was banned from the roads for two years and four months.

He was also fined £40 and ordered to pay further costs of £199.