A MECHANIC lost his licence yesterday when he pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Simon Watson, 35, of Rainsford Crescent, Thorntree, Middlesbrough, told magistrates in Richmond, North Yorkshire, that following a row with his girlfriend on Wednesday, January 8, he had decided, on the spur of the moment, to go for a drive to calm down.

When he was stopped by police in Northallerton, a breath test showed he was over the legal drink-drive limit.

Watson told magistrates it was the first time he had driven after a drink and he had lost his job as a result.

He was banned for a year, fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £60.

Watson agreed to take a driving course for convicted drink-drivers. If he passes, he could have his licence back three months early.

l A man who was caught speeding at more than 105mph has been allowed to keep his licence.

Abdurahman Mansur, 40, of Langleeford Way, Ingleby Barwick, pleaded guilty to speeding on the A1 in September.

The court heard that Mansur overtook a police car on the A1 and his speed was recorded at 106.4mph, despite the speed limit being 70mph on that stretch of road.

Mansur told Darlington magistrates he could not afford to lose his licence as his wife had been diagnosed with cancer and he needed to take her to hospital for treatment.

He said that as a shop owner and caterer, he needed his car and he also needed it to take his children to school.

Mansur was fined £300 and his licence was endorsed with five points.

* A man was given six penalty points on his licence and ordered to pay a £240 fine and costs of £45 yesterday after admitting driving with no insurance and MoT.

Roy Ritchie, 58, of Ashbrooke Court, Hutton Henry, Hartlepool, told Richmond magistrates he only found out he was not covered by insurance when he was stopped by police near Crakehall, North Yorkshire, in October, after checking with his broker.

Magistrates were also told Ritchie believed he had an MoT certificate for his van at home but was unable to find it. However, rather than prolong the case, he had decided to plead guilty.