A RESTAURANT worker was caught drink-driving for the third time in eight years because of the concerns of a fellow motorist.

Magistrates in Harrogate were told yesterday how Alexander Murdoch decided to follow 56-year-old Graham Gater's car when it pulled out in front of him in the town centre, driven erratically.

Simon Ostler, prosecuting, said because of his worry that the driver might have been drinking, Mr Murdoch called the police as he tailed the car

He followed the Seat Toledo into the suburb of Bilton, where it stopped outside Gater's house, in Dene Park.

Gater stumbled out and propped himself up against the car before ''swaying'' through his house door.

Mr Ostler said police arrived soon after, and Gater admitted he had been driving after drinking. Tests showed he was more than twice the legal alcohol limit.

When Gater pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, his solicitor, Geoffrey Rogers, disclosed he had similar convictions in 1997 and 1999.

Court chairman Michael Crosby told Gater there was concern that he was persistently driving with a lot of alcohol inside him.

Gater was made subject to a 12-month community order with probation supervision and 150 hours of unpaid work.

A three-year driving ban was also imposed, and he was ordered to pay £50 costs and take part in a drink-impaired drivers' programme.