A man who was twice the legal limit got behind the wheel after his wife said she was having a miscarriage, Harrogate Magistrates Court has heard.

Harry Chinkumbi, of Luing in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, pleaded guilty to one count of drink-driving during Thursday's (September 25) hearing.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police officers were in an unmarked car at around 4.30am on September 9. 

As officers travelled between junctions 46 and 47 of the A1(M), near Knaresborough, they spotted a car that was driving “half on the hard shoulder, half in lane one”.

The car, which was being driven by Chinkumbi, veered across lane one and then back on to the hard shoulder, and was "braking heavily for no reason".

The court heard when police stopped the car, Chinkumbi told the officers he had not been drinking but was “just tired”.

But a roadside breath test proved otherwise and Chinkumbi was arrested.

He recorded 70 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – twice the legal limit of 35 micrograms – at the police station.

Chinkumbi, 33, was the sole occupant of the car and is of previous good character, Ms Ibbotson said.

'This has been a harrowing experience for him'

Corey Boothe, defending, told the court he felt the only aggravating feature in the case was the poor manner of driving.

He said Chinkumbi was a man of good character until the case came to court, adding he is a trained minister and previously worked as a pastor.

The defendant is still heavily involved in his local church, but he now works as a recruiter for a tech company.

Mr Boothe told the court Chinkumbi “focusses on getting young black people involved in tech programmes”, which includes going into schools and colleges to speak to them about these opportunities. He also volunteers at a soup kitchen.

On the night of the incident, Chinkumbi had been working away and was staying at a hotel.

He had attended a colleague’s leaving party, before returning to his hotel at around midnight.

Mr Boothe said Chinkumbi got a call from his “then-pregnant wife”, who told him she believed she had suffered a miscarriage.

His wife said she was bleeding and that a paramedic was with her, but Chinkumbi got straight in his car and started driving home to Scotland. 

His wife lost the baby, the court was told.

Mr Boothe told the magistrates:

The magistrates banned Chinkumbi from driving for 17 months, which would be reduced by 17 weeks if he completes a drink-drive awareness course.

He was also ordered to pay an £864 fine, a £346 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.