A COUPLE were driving vehicles a few car lengths apart when police stopped them and found both been drinking, a court heard yesterday.

Tests showed builder Brian Bain, 65, was more than twice the drink-drive limit, while 57-year-old Sonia Thornton was nearly three times the limit.

Yesterday, Bain and Thornton, who share a home in Park Street, Masham, each pleaded guilty to drink-driving when they appeared before Harrogate magistrates.

Police followed Thornton's car as it meandered from side to side along Thorpe Road, Masham, while Bain's van was a short distance in front.

Bain was fined £150 with £50 costs and was banned from driving for 20 months.

Thornton's case was adjourned until July 21 for reports, but she was disqualified in the meantime.

Simon Crosfield, mitigating, said Bain, a divorced father-of-four, had been driving for 46 years with only a minor conviction as a teenager, while Thornton, also divorced with a daughter, had a clean 39-year driving record.

Mr Crosfield said the day before the June 24 incident, Bain's mother had died.