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The Rev Paul Sanderson, 50, who had turned to alcohol to help cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was on his way to one of his churches when he realised he was too drunk and

pulled up.

Police who breathalysed him found he was more than three times the drink-drive limit, Burnley magistrates court heard.

Banning him for two years, District Judge John Maxwell said: “No disrespect, but if I see you again I hope it’s at a wedding.”

The ex-Catholic priest, now a married stepfather of two who admitted driving with excess alcohol in June last year, was also given 140 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and

an £85 victim surcharge.

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The court heard Sanderson, who was in charge of two village churches on the outskirts of Burnley, Lancs, stopped in a Co-op car park in Whalley when he realised he was drunk.

Prosecutor Sarah Cook said a motorist felt his car bump hers and went to call her husband.

Daniel Frazer, defending, said Sanderson was “of exemplary character” but had PTSD and “drank to deal with that situation”.

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