A 20-YEAR old told Skipton magistrates he 'felt like an idiot' for drink-driving.

James Rogers drove into a road-sign at the junction of Mastiles Lane and the B6160 at Kilnsey on May 27, the court heard on Friday.

He panicked and drove home to Litton where police caught up with him later. The car, borrowed from his father with his permission, was parked outside and had been damaged.

Rogers told the officers he had not drunk anything after driving home and used some 'choice' words to describe his predicament, the court heard.

He failed a roadside breath test and was taken to the police station where he was found to have 43 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Rogers, of previous good character, admitted drink-driving.

The court heard in mitigation he had his dream job, working as a stores manager for a very large company, involving travelling all over the country.

It was very much out of character for him; he had been very shocked at hitting the sign, had not known what to do, had panicked and driven home. 

His employer felt very highly of him, and he would not lose his job. He was also supported in court by his father and uncle.

He had not drunk since the incident and if he did in the future, he would store his keys somewhere else.

Rogers, of Armistead Barns, Litton, told the court he felt an idiot and it had been a mistake.

He was banned from driving for 14 months and fined £760, with costs of £85 and a surcharge of £304. If he completes a drink-drivers rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by 14 weeks.