A DRINK driver who crashed his car into a wall near Bradley swing bridge had been banned from driving twice before, heard Skipton Magistrates Court.

Steven Steward, 33, who today was banned from driving again, this time for three years and four months , drove his Alfa Romeo into a wall a short distance from his home in Low Bradley.

Police, responding to a report of an accident, found Steward just after 10pm on August 18, the court was told.

A roadside breath test was positive, he was arrested, and taken to Harrogate Police Station where he was found to have 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35.

When he was interviewed the next day he admitted to drinking, but thought he was fine to drive. He had realised that he wasn’t, and was on his way home when he had hit the wall, said Charles Macrae, prosecuting.

The court was told Steward had been banned for a year in May, 2009, after admitting drink driving: and for three years in October, 2015 after admitting drug driving.

His three year ban was later reduced by eight months after he successfully argued a reduction for reasons of work.

Steward, who admitted drink driving on August 18, apologised in court and said he would not have driven had he felt the effects of the alcohol.

The court heard he was currently unemployed, but hoping to do a course in maritime security.

Steward, of Heath Crescent, Low Bradley, was given a four week curfew, restricting him to his house between 7pm and 7am.

He was banned from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £95.