Musician Swaps Bassoon For Breathalyser

Composer Craig Carpenter hit a bum note with late-night cops when blowing over the limit after being stopped driving across Tower Bridge at three in the morning.

Carpenter, 42, of Finsbury Park Road, Finsbury Park, North London pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court to driving with excess alcohol on his breath on March 19.

The court heard Carpenter, who had performed at a concert that evening, was driving his blue Nissan Torano home when pulled over by police who then detected the smell of drink on his breath.

He failed a roadside breath-test and later gave an alcohol reading of 50 microgrammes - the legal limit is 35.

The magistrates were told Carpenter regrets his "foolishness" and took a chance because he thought he could get home quickly.

He was fined £160, with £90 costs and disqualified from driving for twelve months.