A DRINK-driver who went out on his car to a cash machine at 4.30am after a night out with friends was more than three times the drink-drive limit, Skipton magistrates heard.

Andrew Humphreys, 41, of East Castle Street, Skipton, had 118 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when he was stopped by police in Sackville Street, Skipton, on August 19 this year.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Humphreys, who was staying at his parents' home after leaving his Ilkley home following the break up of his marriage, entered a guilty plea at Skipton Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Prosecutor Kate Varlow said police had observed the Network Rail worker swerving his Toyota Aygo car "from one side of the road to the other" and provided a positive breath test when stopped.

Defending, John Mewies said his client was of impeccable character with no previous convictions and was embarrassed about the charge.

"He is not an habitual drinker but had gone out in Skipton with friends that night and had succumbed to temptation to stay out."

Mr Mewies said Humphreys had realised in the early hours of the morning that he had run out of money and rather than walk the short distance to a cash point he decided, for no rhyme or reason, to drive.

Mr Mewies said Humphreys' marriage of 15 years had broken down some weeks ago and he had moved back to live with his parents in Skipton while his wife lived in the matrimonial home in Ilkley with their two children.

"There were no third parties involved in the incident and the distance was very short indeed. A driving ban will cause him exceptional hardship as his children live 10 miles away."

Magistrates disqualified him for 28 months which would be reduced by 28 weeks if he successfully completed a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

Humphreys was also ordered to pay a fine of £1,133, costs of £83 and a statutory surcharge of £113.