A RETIRED schoolteacher was given a sharp lesson by magistrates yesterday for drink-driving.

James Hamilton, 65, of High Street, Moorsholm, Saltburn, was stopped by police and found to be more than two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Guisborough Magistrates' Court and was banned from driving for two years. He was also fined £300 and ordered to pay £60 costs.

Julian Gaskin, mitigating, said Mr Hamilton had led a blameless life and had never been before the courts before.

"This is going to have a massive impact on him," he said.

Mr Hamilton agreed to attend a drink-driving rehabilitation course, which will reduce his ban by six months.