A lumberjack was fined after being found drunk in charge of a horse and cart at a family christening.
Robin Milner, 49, was spotted by a police officer who suspected he was drunk while holding the reins to a horse and cart.
Milner was giving rides to children in a car park when he clipped another vehicle, leading to his arrest under Section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872.
Robin Milner, 49, was spotted by a police officer who suspected he was drunk while holding the reins to a horse and cart (He is pictured outside court yesterday)
Milner was giving rides to children in a car park when he clipped another vehicle, leading to his arrest under Section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872 (Pictured is a photo of Milner using his horse and cart at a different time)
Prosecutor Katy Varlow told York Magistrates Court: ‘A call came into a police officer at 7:50pm after a man’s car was scratched in a pub car park.
‘The officer attended and the defendant couldn’t write down his address and was slurring his words.
‘The defendant said he was not intoxicated, but declined when asked to give a sample of breath.
‘He was taken to the police station while he got someone to pick up the horse in a trailer.’
Milner, who said he works as a logger and sells machinery, was arrested outside the Swan Hotel in South Milford, North Yorkshire, on July 30 this year.
The defendant at the time claimed he wasn’t drunk and was not breaking the 145-year-old law, but later admitted the charge at the police station.
Milner, of North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a horse in a public place.
He appeared unrepresented in the dock and told the court: ‘I had been at a christening and had gone to the pub.
‘I was giving the kiddies a rides around the car park.
‘All I had was four pints – I wasn’t staggering about.
‘I wasn’t abusive and I kept calm when spoken to by the officer.’
Milner, of North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a horse in a public place
Milner was handed a six month conditional discharge at York Magistrates Court
The court heard the defendant was last before the court in 2012 over production of a Class B drug.
He also added that he didn’t own a motorised vehicle and used his horse and cart as his mode of transport.
Milner was handed a six month conditional discharge.
Senior Magistrate Margaret Scott told Milner: ‘You have kept out of trouble for sometime.
‘It would have been a fine for you today, but you have admitted guilt early.
‘Next time, don’t have a few and then drive a horse and cart.’
He was also handed a £20 surcharge and £85 in court costs.
As he left the courtroom, Milner added: ‘I apologise to the court for wasting your time.’