A DELIVERY driver stopped by police near Skipton because of the manner of his driving had been smoking crack cocaine, heard magistrates.

Robert O'Dell, 51, was stopped on the A65 at Thorlby Straight at 7.15am on September 19 after other motorists reported him as driving 'erratically', the Skipton court heard.

O'Dell, who was driving a white Mercedes Sprinter Panel Van, told officers he had smoked a 'bit of crack' the day before. A road side 'drugs wipe' test was positive and he was taken to the police station where a blood test later revealed he had 147 of Benzoylecgonine, the by-product of cocaine, in one litre of blood, the legal limit is 50.

O'Dell, who admitted drugs driving, had not been involved in any accident and was a man of previous good character, the court heard.

He believed having smoked drugs at least 20 hours earlier, he would not have been over the specified limit, the court heard in mitigation.

Magistrates banned O'Dell, of Bolton Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £120 with costs of £85 and surcharge of £30.