A 53-YEAR old man was over the drink-drive limit when he was stopped by police carrying out a routine check in Cross Hills.

Greg Ingham had been seen on October 28 driving away from a pub in the village in a Kia Nero, heard Skipton Magistrates Court today (Friday).

Ingham provided a positive roadside test and was taken to the police station where the evidential test showed he had 44 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Ingham, of previous good character, and of Peel Terrace, Dale End, Lothersdale, admitted drink driving.

The court heard that Ingham, an engineer, had co-operated fully with the police and had entered a guilty plea as soon as possible.

He had not believed he was over the drink drive limit when he had got into his car. He is a carer for his elderly father who lives in Silsden.

Ingham was fined £461 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £144 and costs of £85. He was banned from driving for 12 months. If he completes a drink drivers rehabilitation course his ban will be reduced by 13 weeks.