AN ANTI drink-drive campaigner was more than three times the limit when police caught him behind the wheel. Police approached C.I. Hospitality business development manager Rod Lillis, 42, in his car at North Beach car park at 11.46pm on 7 December.

He was about to drive home to St Peter’s, the Magistrate’s Court heard.

When he was tied trade manager in 2004, Lillis had launched Guernsey Brewery’s free soft drinks for drivers campaign.

As for drink-driving: ‘We are just trying to stamp it out,’ he said at the time.

But when police breathalysed him, they found 116 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml. The limit is 35.

The court heard that it had been a particularly cold day and Lillis, of Glenside, Le Pont, had spent between 35 and 45 minutes trying to get a taxi.

Advocate Gary Perry said that a member of the public had been concerned about a drunken man getting into a car and had called police.

Officers heard that the engine was running and saw the brake lights were on. Lillis was in the driver’s seat with his seat belt on.

In court, Lillis admitted being over the limit in charge of a vehicle.

Advocate Alan Merrien said that it had been a rare outing for his client, whose wife was heavily pregnant.

When Lillis went to his car he had not intended to drive but was going to call his wife, said Advocate Merrien. He said that Lillis despised drink-driving.

He urged the court to impose a community service order, because the vehicle had not moved.

Taking that into account and the fact that Lillis had no previous convictions, assistant-Magistrate Philip Robey said that he was able to impose 50 hours’ community service as a direct alternative to four weeks in prison.

He also disqualified Lillis from driving for three years.

Mr Lillis, who still works for C.I Hospitality, refused to comment.

Ed Daubeney, managing director at C.I Hospitality, also declined to comment.

‘It would be inappropriate of me to do so,’ he said.