A CONSTRUCTION worker has been banned from driving after admitting to being in charge of his work's vehicle while over the alcohol limit. 

Police found Grahame Sharp in the van, that was parked in the Co-op car park, Milligan Fields, Main Street, Cross Hills at 10.45am on November 20, heard Skipton Magistrates' Court.

Sharp, 49, had been asleep, the vehicle lights were on, and he was dressed in work clothes, the court heard. Sharp told the officers he was waiting for his work colleagues.

He provided a positive roadside breath test and was taken to the police station where he was found to have 110 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Sharp, of Meadow Croft, Cononley, and of previous good character, admitted being in charge of a vehicle while being over the alcohol limit. The court heard he already had three points on his driving licence that were due to come off in September next year.

In mitigation, Amjid Khan said Sharp had not intended to drive. He had gone for a drink after parking up in Cross Hills and had been waiting for work colleagues to return from a job. He was going to tell them he would not be able to drive and had booked a taxi to take him home.

Mr Khan said the vehicle was on because it was a cold day and the heater was running.

Sharp had worked in the construction industry for most of his life, had worked for his current employer for more than three years, and had been suspended, pending the decision of the court, said Mr Khan.

"He did not have anything to drink until he parked, and then had gone for something to drink while he was waiting for his colleagues, who were doing a job elsewhere," said Mr Khan.

Magistrates told Sharp it was a serious matter and that it was a high reading for alcohol early in the day.

He was banned from driving for four months, fined £576, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £230 and costs of £85.