A MAN who sold the same car to two different men before being arrested for drink-driving could not cope with the break-up of his marriage, a court was told yesterday.

Harrogate magistrates heard how Kenneth Hedley, 57, once a successful paint sprayer and a respected member of Ripon's Pentecostal Church, had also worked as a carer in an old people's home before trying to start his own staff agency.

But his solicitor Simon Crosfield said Hedley, of South Crescent, Ripon, had separated from his wife when he turned to drink.

He lost his home, living with friends and sleeping in his car. He pleaded guilty to theft, deception, failing to answer bail, drink-driving and not having insurance. Peter Scott, prosecuting, said he had sold an L-registration Saab 9000 to Ernest Whitaker in Ripon for £200 last September.

The next day, he had asked to borrow the car for a visit to his daughter in Harrogate.

Mr Whitaker agreed but never saw the car again until police traced it to an address in Harewood Road, Harrogate, and discovered it had been sold to a man called Gary Swain for £180.

Mr Scott said Hedley had failed to turn up in court and a warrant had been issued for his arrest on December 2. A week later police stopped him at the wheel of a Ford Escort in Grantley Drive, Harrogate and a breath test showed he was more than three times the drink-drive limit.

Court chairman John Metcalfe said the court realised Hedley had problems which it was hoped would be helped by the probation service.

Hedley was made subject to a two-year community rehabilitation order and a 28-month driving ban. Costs of £170 and compensation of £180 were also ordered.