A man has been sentenced for crashing into a parked car while drunk.

Stephen Hanson, of Hookstone Road in Harrogate, pleaded guilty to one count of drink-driving at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (April 24).

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, said an unnamed person was told someone had crashed into their car in the Brewerton Street area of Knaresborough on Sunday, April 6. 

One of the car doors had been damaged in the collision. 

The court heard police arrived at the scene and were told a man, who had been drinking, had crashed into the car.

Police located the man - Hanson – at a public toilet on Castlegate. They noted he smelled strongly of alcohol at the time. 

Hanson gave a positive breath sample and was arrested.

The 61-year-old defendant was taken into custody, where he provided a reading of 112 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the limit being just 35 micrograms. 

Defendant had been celebrating his birthday

Sean Wilson, defending, told the court Hanson had been out drinking to celebrate his birthday the day before the incident. 

He had also been out drinking on the day of the collision.

The court heard Hanson works as a butcher in Leeds and works antisocial hours.

He starts work at 4am and is usually home by 11am. Mr Wilson said the defendant has “started drinking several pints” between returning home and going to bed at 5pm.

Hanson is suffering from an ankle injury after being hit by a forklift at work, but he does not have any other significant health issues.

The case was stood down temporarily for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. 

Hanson drank four pints before collision

A probation officer gave an oral report to the court.

He said Hanson had celebrated his birthday the day before the collision, before going out for lunch in Knaresborough at around 11am on April 6.

The court heard Hanson drank four pints before getting behind the wheel that day. 

“He did not think about other road users”, the probation officer said.

He added the defendant regrets his actions and told the officer he will learn from the situation.

Hanson drinks alcohol five days a week, usually consuming four pints on weekdays and eight pints on weekends, the court was told. 

Hanson does not have any mental health issues.

The defendant was banned from driving for 25 months, which would be reduced by 25 weeks if he completes a drink-driving course by a set date.

Hanson was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

He was also ordered to pay a £300 fine, a £114 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.