A SOLDIER who took his dad's car without consent and drove it while over the alcohol limit has been banned from driving for over a year.

Kyle Patrick Sharp, 24, of Devon Street, Barrow, appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Sharp took his father's car, a Vauxhall Corsa VRM, on May 14 without his consent.

Prosecutor Mr Lee Dacre said: "Police stopped the vehicle because of the manner of Mr Sharp's driving."

Sharp had 55 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Ms Maureen Fawcett, defending, said Sharp had stopped drinking seven or eight hours before driving the car.

Sharp is in the army and about to undertake his phase two driver course.

Ms Fawcett said: "It was a stupid, foolish decision.

"The army are prepared to give unpaid leave."

Sharp received a 14-month driving ban and was ordered to take a drink-drive rehabilitation course which he must undertake by February 22 next year.

Sharp was fined £300 for taking a car without the owner's consent and £300 for drink-driving. Sharp was ordered to pay a court fee of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.

If he had received more than 100 hours of community service, this would have led to him being discharged from the army.