A man who was twice the drink-drive limit has been handed a three-year ban after driving “erratically” in Kirk Deighton.

Willard Danda, 33, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (November 13) where he spoke to confirm his name, age and address.

Danda, of Madison Avenue in Bradford, admitted drink driving in Kirk Deighton on the night of October 23 this year.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that police were on patrol in the area when they came across a red Toyota “driving erratically” down rural, winding roads.

Ms Ibbotson told the court that officers followed the driver, Danda, until he “broke sharply” when nearly hitting a set of roadworks on a bend.

Officers stopped the car and ordered Danda to undertake a roadside breathalyser where he was found to be over the limit and arrested.

The court heard that the defendant took another breathalyser at Harrogate Police Station, where he recorded 101mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath — nearly three times the legal limit.

The defendant had got into his car after an argument with his partner and had 10 cans of beer the night before the offence, magistrates heard.

The court was also told that Danda, who was a care worker and admitted binge drinking often on a weekend, had since lost his job as a result of his arrest.

Seeking help for alcohol

Andrew Coleman, defending, said Danda had two previous convictions in the last 10 years for similar offences.

Mr Coleman said it would be “frivolous” to try and persuade magistrates to not give the 33-year-old a lengthy ban.

However, he said:

Magistrates banned Danda from driving for 36 months.

He was also subject to a 12-month community order, which included 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 140 hours of unpaid work.

Danda was also ordered to pay a £114 victims’ surcharge and £85 in court costs.