AN RAF airman who drove the wrong way down the A1 while over the alcohol limit has been banned from driving for two years.

Christopher Beards, 23, who is based at RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, admitted a charge of drink driving when he appeared before Darlington Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that Beards, originally from Llandudno, in Wales, is facing serious disciplinary charges from the RAF and has damaged his chances of winning promotion.

Jon Garside, prosecuting, told the court that Beards was seen by a member of the public driving south on the northbound carriageway of the A1 near Darlington, at 2.25am on April 12.

Beards came to a stop on the hard shoulder after passing the witness, who ran to Vauxhall Astra and took the keys out of the ignition.

When police arrived at the scene Beards gave a blood alcohol test, which showed 99mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Jane Scott, mitigating, told magistrates that Beard was “terribly, terribly ashamed of himself” and had been suspended from a number of duties in the RAF.

Ms Scott said Beards had been intending to stay in Darlington after a night out but lost the friend he was staying with and went to his car to drive back to Leeming.

She added: “He simply cannot comprehend what must have been going through his mind.”

Beards was disqualified from driving for 24 months and fined £667. He must also pay court costs of £85 and a £60 victim surcharge.