Anthony Hall, a 50-year-old blind motorist, has been given a 36-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after driving approximately 150 miles (240km) at night while drunk.
Kirklees Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Hall, who does not hold a driving licence, was stopped by police on the M6 near Carlisle at 01:45 BST on 29 June. Officers had observed his Vauxhall Meriva swerving between lanes and onto the hard shoulder.
Mr Hall told police he had driven from his home in Huddersfield after consuming four bottles of wine with his partner. He explained that he had gone blind about two years prior but could see some lights, and had followed an HGV's lights on the motorway.
He admitted charges including dangerous driving, drink-driving, driving without a licence or insurance, and taking a car without consent. At the roadside, Mr Hall gave a breath alcohol reading of 50 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
The court heard that Mr Hall had no previous convictions and his solicitor, Adele Graham, stated he had suffered a breakdown before the journey, feeling trapped and wanting to escape his life. Magistrate Tracey McErlain-Burns acknowledged his difficult personal circumstances and previous good character when suspending the sentence.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Mr Hall was ordered to undertake rehabilitation activities, abstain from alcohol for 90 days, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £272 in costs.