A SOLDIER was banned from driving hours before flying out to Iraq.

Twenty-year-old Karl Michael Bensley appeared before Darlington Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Trooper Bensley, pictured, who is originally from Darlington, had returned to the town at the beginning of the month to spend time in the Army careers office, in Northgate, to encourage people into joining the Army.

Bensley has served in the Army for four years and, while training at Winchester Training Regiment, he had been named best recruit.

The former Haughton Community School pupil has served in Cyprus and France.

Yesterday evening, he was due to fly out to spend two months in Iraq.

Bensley had been pulled over after he was seen driving his car without any lights on.

The court heard he had been saying goodbye to some friends before going out to Iraq and he thought he would be safe to drive back.

Hs solicitor said he was not driving erratically or dangerously.

A breath test proved positive and his reading was 60 microgrammes per 100ml of breath - almost twice the legal limit.

The court heard that he had recently qualified as a tank driver and his Army career was likely to suffer as a consequence of his conviction.

The chairman of the magistrates, John Robinson, fined Bensley £150 and ordered him to pay £43 costs. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months

Mr Robinson said: "I acknowledge that the Army are likely to deal with you separately. When you're a member of the public, you'll only be dealt with once, but in the Army they will also deal with you which may seem unfair.

"However, I wish you the best of luck in Iraq."