A man was caught drink-driving – after he beeped his horn as police drove past carrying a prisoner.

Phillip Simpson, who works for a Huddersfield DIY store, drew attention to himself when he spotted a friend walking along the pavement.

He was breathalysed and found to be almost twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Simpson, from Moor End Lane in Dewsbury Moor, admitted the offence when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.

His solicitor said that the 31-year-old had rushed to the aid of a friend who was in trouble.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said that the incident happened in the early hours of October 12 on Healey Lane in Batley.

He said: “He overtook a police van transporting a prisoner. Whilst he was doing that he sounded his horn a couple of times.

“As a result police stopped his vehicle, had a conversation with him and formed the impression he was under the influence of alcohol.”

Simpson was arrested and breath tests showed that he had 68 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millitres of breath.

This was almost double the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

Magistrates heard that on the evening of the offence Simpson had drunk six pints of lager at his local rugby club before getting a taxi home.

A few house later when he was sleeping he got a phone call about a friend of his being involved in an incident in Batley.

Mark Mangano, mitigating, said: “Without thinking he jumped in his vehicle.

“It was an impulsive act to go out and help a friend and bring her home.

“He saw a friend on the side of the pavement, beeped his horn and drew attention to himself.”

Magistrates banned Simpson from driving for 18 months.

He must also pay £260 fine, £85 costs and £26 victim surcharge.