A MAN crashed his car into a ditch while over the drink-drive limit last Christmas Eve, a court heard.

Ian Holmes, of Redding Mill, Steeton, gave a breath-test reading of 55 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court was told yesterday that Holmes, 45, was sat in the driver's seat, with the engine still running, after the crash on Heights Lane, Eldwick. The court heard that he admitted at the scene that he had been drinking.

Holmes, who was not represented by a solicitor in court, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, and said: "I am very embarrassed and ashamed to be here. I am very sorry for what I have done and for being here to waste your time."

Magistrates fined Holmes £440 and ordered him to pay a surcharge of £44 and costs of £85. He was banned from driving for 12 months.