Passer-by spotted drink-driver (From Craven Herald)

Passer-by spotted drink-driver

4:25pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in News

A self-employed lorry driver has lost his licence after admitting drink-driving in Skipton.

Wayne Houghton, 43, was breathalysed by police who had been flagged down by a member of the public to say he had been drinking, Skipton magistrates heard.

Houghton was walking away from his parked car in The Oval, Skipton, at 2pm on November 18 when he was approached by police.

A roadside breath test proved positive and he was taken to the police station where a urine test proved he had 250 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine, the legal limit is 107.

In mitigation, Jill Darrington said Houghton had been drinking the night before and had drunk two small glasses of wine at lunchtime.

She said he was in the process of leaving the family home and had been on his way to collect some belongings when he was stopped.

He had been a self employed lorry driver for 22 years, drove around 30,000 miles per year and would not be able to work as a result of losing his licence.

Miss Darrington said Houghton was devastated at the prospect of losing his licence and wished to apologise for his actions.

Houghton, of Ings Avenue, Skipton, was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £200. He was also ordered to pay £85 and a £20 victims surcharge. If he completes a drink drivers rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.