THE driver of a Citroen Berlingo stopped by police because one of the vehicle's rear lights was not working was over the drink-drive limit, heard Skipton Magistrates' Court.

Paul Raynes, 51, had got up in the night and driven to check on his partner after having a nightmare, the court heard on Friday last week.

He was stopped by police on Pembroke Street, Skipton, and following a positive roadside breath test was taken to the police station where he was found to have 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35.

Raynes, of Victoria Square, Skipton, and with no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drink driving on June 2.

Mitigating, Keith Blackwell, said Raynes had no intention of driving on the night, and had only done so because of the nightmare which involved his partner and he wanted to make sure everything was all right.

Mr Blackwell said Raynes had retired from the Army after 16 years. He had served in the First Gulf war and had also been posted to Iraq and Northern Ireland.

Raynes was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £415. He will also have to pay a surcharge of £166 and costs of £85.