A young man who tried to move his car by just releasing the handbrake ended up crashing it into another vehicle and being banned for drink-driving by Skipton magistrates.

It also meant 20-year-old Kieran Entwhistle had to cancel immediate plans to join the Royal Navy, the court heard.

Entwhistle, who had been staying with friends in Skipton following a night out, panicked after the steering lock engaged and his car went out of control on the steep Romille Street, the bench was told.

Police, called out by the owner of the parked BMW hit by Entwhistle’s Ford Fiesta in the early hours of November 10, found it empty, with its steering lock on and no keys in the ignition.

Entwhistle was found nearby and taken to the police station following a positive roadside breath test. He was found to have 66 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

In mitigation, John Mewies described the circumstances as “unusual”.

He said although Entwhistle had not started the car, he was still, in the eyes of the law, driving it.

Mr Mewies said it had never been Entwhistle’s intention to drive after drinking and that he had driven to Skipton from Barnoldswick for a night out with friends.

He had parked his car in Romille Street, but on his return and before spending the night at his friend’s house, had been concerned about the gradient of where it was parked and decided to move it.

“His intention was to let the handbrake off and let it coast down the hill to a safer position. But unfortunately, unknown to him, the steering lock activated and the car went across the road and hit another car. He panicked, left the car where it was and was picked up by police near to the scene,” said Mr Mewies.

Mr Mewies added that Entwhistle, who was currently employed as a chef, had always wanted to join the Royal Navy and had recently learned that he had been selected to join as an engineering technician.

But following his court appearance and conviction, the Royal Navy had informed Mr Mewies that it would not be continuing with its offer.

Mr Mewies said Entwhistle hoped to re-apply to the forces after the end of his driving conviction.

Entwhistle, of Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £130. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and victims surcharge of £20. If he completes a drink-drivers rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by 16 weeks.