A SOUTH Petherton man who denied an offence of being drunk in charge of a vehicle after being found slumped over his steering wheel with the engine running has had the allegation against him thrown out following a trial.

Nicholas Bridges, 62, of Broadmead, pleaded not guilty at a previous court hearing to an allegation that on April 28 at Crewkerne he was in charge of a Fiat van in Abbey Street car park after consuming excess alcohol.

The charge detailed that a police breath test completed by the defendant produced a reading of 55mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol.

He claimed that he had never intended to drive and only had the engine turned on to keep the car heated as it was cold outside.

The defendant attended court, but following a trial hearing he was found not guilty of the offence and the matter was dismissed.