A 49 YEAR old man who drove to McDonald’s in Skipton after drinking to get something to eat has been been banned from driving for 20 months.

Paul Woodward was initially abusive when he was stopped by police on Craven Street, Skipton at just after 10pm on November 15 last year, but co-operated once he was at the police station, heard Skipton Magistrates Court yesterday (Friday).

Police illuminated their vehicle lights in Cavendish Street for him to stop, and he pulled up after about half a mile later in Craven Street. He provided a positive roadside breath test, and was taken to the police station where he was found to have 79 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35.

Woodward, who admitted drink driving, had not pulled over initially, but had turned into a quieter road so as not to block the busy road, the court was told in mitigation.

Keith Blackwell, in mitigation said Woodward had been very careful following a conviction for a very similar matter in 2006 and had not believed he was over the limit when he had driven to get some food.

Woodward, of Waterside, Skipton, was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £120, with costs of £85 and a surcharge of £32. If he completes a drink drivers rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by 20 weeks.