Banned driver caught drink driving home from court

A man who had been banned from driving immediately got behind the wheel after his court hearing, magistrates heard.

Paul Ward, of Stainburn in North Yorkshire, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he was disqualified for 20 months for drink driving.

However, when a lift home from his daughter fell through, the 73-year-old, who was seen drinking alcohol at the court, decided to drive himself home.

He appeared at York Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he admitted driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and drink driving.

The court heard the defendant had been stopped by officers on the A1(M) and failed a roadside breath test, giving a reading of 45 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Craig Robertson, defending, said Ward had arranged for his daughter to get the train to Harrogate to drive his car home from court.

However, after an accident at home, she was unable to attend.

Robertson told magistrates Ward "absolutely knew" the seriousness of his offence now.

The defendant was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a four-year driving ban.

He was also ordered to pay £239 to the court, on top of the £253 he was fined the previous day.

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