A DRUNK delivery driver who was dropping off meat in the district just before Christmas was reported to police by a worker at the premises he was delivering to.

Appearing at Skipton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Glen Ward, 47, pleaded guilty to one charge of driving a Mercedes refrigerated van in Threshfield on December 16 after drinking a bottle of Chardonnay and being over the drink-drive limit.

Prosecuting, Nadine Clough said police received a report of Ward delivering meat to a butchers in Threshfield.

“A member of staff believed he was under the influence of alcohol and contacted the police.”

Miss Clough said police found Ward, of Emerson Road, Hurworth, Darlington, a short time later parked in a layby. A roadside breath test proved positive and he was arrested.

In interview he said he had been drinking for three to four hours before stopping his vehicle.

He provided a breath test of 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

He said he had had an issue with alcohol for two or three years. On the day in question he had started work at 7am and had his first drink around noon.

Miss Clough said when he was arrested he had drunk a bottle of Chardonnay by the time he had reached Threshfield.

“He accepts he does need some help,” she said.

Defending, Ansar Khan said Ward had not tried to hide from responsibility and had seen the incident as a ‘blessing in disguise’ and was taking steps to control his drinking. Under his own volition had enrolled in a programme called We Are With You.

He said he was taking steps towards controlling his alcohol intake and was very remorseful and was fully aware of the dangers of drink-driving.

Mr Khan said Ward was no longer working.

Probation officer Andrew Watson said he had spoken to Ward who said his alcohol problem had been going on for two or three years and had coincided with his mother’s death.

He was drinking around two bottles of wine per day and recommended a community order with an alcohol treatment requirement.

Magistrates told Ward that because of the high reading they were going to disqualify him from driving for 24 months.

In addition, they ordered him to complete a 12 month community order which would include 15 rehabilitation activity days.

He was also ordered to complete a six month alcohol treatment requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £95.