A soldier due to serve in Afghanistan has been banned from driving.

Alexander Delmege, 23, of Ryeland Street, Cross Hills, near Keighley, pleaded guilty to drink-driving at Skipton Magistrates’ Court.

Delmege was stopped by police in Holme Lane, Cross Hills, in the early hours of October 3, the court was told.

He provided a positive roadside breath test and was taken to the police station where he was found to have 62 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Delmege, who originally denied the offence but changed his plea to guilty, had been a soldier for three years and was currently based in Germany, the court was told.

In mitigation, Tahir Hanif said Delmege was due to be deployed to Afghanistan in September and the loss of his licence would cause problems for his platoon. He said he understood that magistrates did not have any choice but to ban Delmege.

“He regrets what he has done and there will be consequences for his career – he will not be promoted and will not have any pay rises,” said Mr Hanif.

Magistrates gave Delmege their good wishes for his tour of duty in Afghanistan, but said they had no discretionary powers when it came to drink- driving.

Delmege was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £320. He was also ordered to pay costs of £100 and a £15 victims surcharge.

If he completes a drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course costing £215 by December 5, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.