A Harrogate man has been banned from driving for 42 months after crashing into parked cars near a secondary school while almost three times over the drink-drive limit.

Leornado Da Cunha Dias, 54, of Aspen Close, pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates Court today.

North Yorkshire Police, which arrested Dias on February 19, said at the time the vehicle “ploughed into parked vehicles and overturned” on Arthurs Avenue, near Harrogate Grammar School.

The force said at the time it was “lucky nobody was killed”.

The court heard Dias' breath specimen showed 101 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Peter Minnikin, defending, said Dias moved to the country eight years ago to “better himself and find employment”.

He said the defendant works as a kitchen porter and "overindulged in alcohol on his day off". Mr Minnikin added:

The defence said Dias does not believe he has an alcohol problem, but added "perhaps binge drinking is his vice".

As well as the three-and-a-half-year driving ban, Dias was ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work and attend 10 days of rehabilitation.

He was also ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 to cover court costs.

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