DRIVING to a relative's aid after drinking at home led to a Darlington man losing his licence.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (Tuesday, March 19) that Scott Holmes, 24, of North Road received a text message from his cousin in the early hours of the morning of March 9 saying that he was in a fight and needed picking up.

Holmes had been drinking but drove to Bartlett Street to help his cousin.

When police arrived at the scene they found Holmes sitting in his car in the middle of the road with the lights on and the engine running.

A breath test revealed he had 72mg in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35mg – and he pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared before magistrates.

Holmes was banned from driving for 20-months, fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.