A drink-driver sped along a canal towpath forcing pedestrians to jump clear before crashing into a lock with the car wheels hanging over the water.

Andrew Bailey was three times the legal alcohol limit when he got behind the wheel of his Renault Clio during the mid-morning of December 15, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Bailey, 58, of Temple Rhydding Drive, Shipley, Bradford, shot out of a junction and hit a bridge at Eldwick before reversing into a van.

The driver blocked him in after his vehicle sustained a dent and damaged paintwork.

But prosecutor David Hewitt said that Bailey was off again ten minutes later, heading for Micklethwaite.

He drove on to the canal towpath towards Bingley Five-Rise Locks forcing pedestrians to jump out of his way.

Bailey then struck a canal lock and his car became stuck with two wheels hanging over the edge of the bank.

He was assisted by eye-witnesses and remained at the scene, Mr Hewitt stated.

The police attended and Bailey was found to have 111 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mr Hewitt said the incident lasted about half an hour.

Bailey had no previous convictions.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving over the prescribed limit at the magistrates’ court and was committed to the crown court for sentence.

His barrister, Abdul Shakoor, conceded they were serious offences but urged the judge, Recorder Felicity Davies, to suspend the inevitable custodial sentence.

Mr Shakoor said that by great good fortune no one was injured and the damage was relatively minor.

Bailey was very remorseful and had taken “significant, substantial and sustained steps” to address his problem with alcohol that had been with him for a decade.

He had spent £7,000 of his own money on a residential treatment course in January and sought other professional help.

He had reduced his intake very significantly and aimed to become completely sober.

Bailey was the carer for his poorly mother who depended on him for day-to-day chores.

“He’s not sure how she would cope without him,” Mr Shakoor said.

Bailey was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Treatment Requirement and £350 prosecution costs.

He must attend up to 20 rehabilitation activity days and do 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and until he takes an extended retest.