A CATHOLIC priest with a bad back drove his car a few hundred yards to a supermarket after drinking brandy and port to ease his pain, a court was told yesterday.

John Anderson's erratic driving through Harrogate was spotted by an off-duty police officer, who followed him to the Asda car park and called colleagues to arrest him.

Sabrina Hartshorn, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates how Anderson's tests showed he had drunk more than twice the legal limit.

Anderson, 58, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and not holding a licence, which the court heard had been revoked following a similar offence three years ago.

Geoffrey Boothby, mitigating, said Anderson had retired from the church.

He had suffered five minor strokes and suffered from angina and a bad back, which caused him excruciating pain.

He received the back injury in two cycling accidents.

Mr Boothby said: "Three or four brandies with a splash of port helped to get him through the day and, while he did not drive often, he had walking difficulties and tended to use his car for shopping."

Anderson told the court he had no intention of driving again and was now selling his vehicle.

Anderson was banned from driving for three years, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £50 costs.