A MOTORIST from Scotland has been banned from driving and ordered to pay £569 after being over the drink-drive limit in Craven.

Damon Gordon, 39, was driving towards Gargrave from Skipton late on October 22 when he was stopped by a police officer, heard Skipton Magistrates Court today (Friday).

The officer said Gordon was driving a light goods vehicle and had been travelling at 60mph, the court was told.

He was pulled over, and smelt of alcohol. Gordon was fully cooperative and was taken to the police station where he was found to have 59 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Gordon, who admitted drink driving, owned a property maintenance company, employed six people and travelled up and down the country, the court heard.

In mitigation, duty solicitor Ibrar Hussain said at the time Gordon's wife had recently suffered a miscarriage which had affected Gordon's mental health. He had genuinely believed he was safe to drive after having a few drinks.

Gordon, of Rosemount Square, Aberdeen, was banned from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £346 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £138. If he completes a drink driver rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by 13 weeks.