A SCHOOL chef who had driven to the Dales with the intention of camping overnight before climbing Whernside with his dog changed his mind, had too much to drink, and ‘foolishly’ decided to drive home, heard Skipton Magistrates Court.

Michael Trowbridge, 39, stopped off at a pub to ask directions to the campsite in the Settle area, had drunk a couple of pints of lager, and had decided against camping because of the high winds at the time, the court heard today.

He had returned to his car, which was parked in a layby, had drunk two thirds of a small bottle of Vodka while sitting in the passenger seat, and had fallen asleep for a while, before waking up and deciding to drive home to Bingley, the court was told.

He was on the A65 between Hellifield and Coniston Cold at around 11.30pm and driving on the wrong side of the road when he was seen by police officers in a patrol car.

He was stopped and after providing a positive roadside breath test, was arrested and taken to Harrogate Police Station where he was found to have 98 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, almost three times the legal limit of 35.

Trowbridge, of previous good character, admitted drink driving on May 24.

In mitigation, Keith Blackwell said Trowbridge was very remorseful, had taken steps to tackle his drinking, and was being supported by both friends and family.

He had also immediately resigned from his position in charge of the catering for five schools.

“It has been a harrowing experience for him and one that he does not want to repeat,” said Mr Blackwell.

Trowbridge, of Woodside Drive, Bingley, was banned from driving for two years and given a 12 month community sentence.

He will have to carry out 80 hours unpaid work and complete up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days to address his drinking. He will also have to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85. If he completes a drink drivers rehabilitation course by June, 2020, his ban will be reduced by 24 weeks.