A man on an e-scooter was three times the drink drive limit as he rode through the city centre, York Magistrates Court heard.

Police stopped Jack Armstrong, 21, when they saw him riding erratically on Parliament Street on August 30.

His actions mean that he is now banned from using any vehicle including cars, vans, lorries and e-scooters on the road for nearly two years.

Armstrong, of Goodramgate, York, pleaded guilty to drink riding an e-scooter.

He was given a 12-month community order with 50 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay a £95 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

He was also disqualified from driving or riding any vehicle on the roads for 23 months.

After the hearing, Traffic Sergeant Paul Cording of North Yorkshire Police said: “E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles by the Road Traffic Act.

“That means you can’t ride one on public roads or footpaths without insurance, a driving licence and you certainly can’t ride one under the influence of drink or drugs.

“As well being illegal, it’s a huge risk to the safety of pedestrians and other road users.”

Armstrong refused to give a breath test when he was stopped on the road, but later did give one at Fulford Road Police Station.

The reading was 106 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

North Yorkshire Police urge anyone wanting to ride an e-scooter to hire one from the official hire scheme in York.

They say the company ensures riders are insured and have the relevant driving licence.

They warn that riders of privately-owned e-scooters are unlikely to be able to get insurance.

When they see an e-scooter being ridden illegally, officers will seize the vehicle and take legal action against the rider.