A DRIVER who was caught on a major North Yorkshire road nearly five times over the drink-drive limit with a bottle of whisky on the passenger seat has avoided jail after he was banned from driving for the offence.

Fourty-seven-year-old Lee James Ebbutt was given a three-year driving ban at York Magistrates Court after he was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Thursday's court appearance for Ebbutt related to an incident on Friday, December 10, which saw North Yorkshire Police receive several calls from concerned members of the public that a white van on the A64 was being driven extremely dangerously.

The van was swerving across the road and at one point, made contact with the central reservation.

Thankfully, that’s as much damage as he made. Quick thinking members of the public following the van, put their hazard lights on to warn other motorists and remained behind it to help keep others safe.

When the van left the A64 and waited at a set of traffic lights, officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group were there waiting and were able to bring it to a stop.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Lee James Ebbutt gave a reading of almost five times the drink drive limit and was found with a bottle of whisky on his passenger seat. Photo: NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE.Lee James Ebbutt gave a reading of almost five times the drink drive limit and was found with a bottle of whisky on his passenger seat. Photo: NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE.

According to officers at the scene, the driver appeared intoxicated as he had difficulty getting out of the van and walking, so he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. Officers also spotted a part full bottle of whisky on the passenger seat beside him.

Ebbutt of Eastwood Road, Boston in Lincolnshire was taken into police custody where he provided two samples of breath at a reading of 169mg per 100ml, nearly five times over the legal limit. He was charged with drink driving.

Following the conclusion of the case, North Yorkshire Police Sergeant, Andy Morton said: "Those who get behind the wheel after drinking not only pose a severe risk to themselves, but endanger the lives of many other road users too.

"We would like to thank the fast acting members of the public who spotted Ebbutt, called the police and effectively set up a rolling roadblock to protect other drivers.

"If you see a vehicle you think could be being driven by someone under the influence of alcohol, or see someone about to drive after drinking, please call us on 999."