A CRAVEN District councillor was over the drink-drive limit when he stopped at the scene of an accident in Embsay, Skipton magistrates heard.

Andy Quinn, 64, was driving along Skipton Road on his way home on the afternoon of June 29 when a motorcycle and sidecar went out of control and left the road, seriously injuring the driver.

Police at the scene spoke to Quinn, who had not been involved in the accident, and noticed alcohol on his breath, the court was told.

A roadside breath test was positive and he was taken to the police station, where he was found to have 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Quinn, who admitted drink-driving, had been entertaining at home before driving into Skipton to fill his Landrover Freelander with fuel for a business trip the next day, the court was told.

In mitigation, John Mewies said Quinn was a man who had spent a significant part of the last 14 years serving the public. He also ran a small business, offering health and safety advice to large construction sites.

Quinn, of Skipton Road, was banned from driving for 18 months, fined £420 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and victims surcharge of £42.

If he completes a drink-drivers rehabilitation course by July next year, his ban will be reduced by 18 weeks.