An uninsured drink driver who was found asleep at the wheel in Harehills while he was on a suspended sentence has avoided jail.

Lee Lewis, of Avenue Crescent, was caught by police when they saw his black Volkswagen golf was parked at a green light with the engine running, at around 8.40am on April 14.

The 39-year-old appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday, June 6 after being convicted of drink driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, possession of a bladed article and possession of a Class B substance.

Graham O'Sullivan, prosecuting, said that when police found the father-of-six he was 'slumped' in the driver's seat next to an open can of lager while the 'engine was running and music was blaring out'.

Police also found a small amount of cannabis on the driver's seat and a two-inch blade in a homemade sheath that was hanging round his neck.

He then failed a breathalyser test, which revealed that he was two times over the the drink drive limit, but claimed that he was only carrying the knife because he used it at work.

Mr O'Sullivan said: "Your Honour, the defendant is also in breach of a suspended sentence. That case was a domestic assault, he punched his partner in the face when they returned from a Christmas party.

"It resulted in numerous injuries to her face - a cut lip and a bruised nose. She did not want to prosecute but they persisted anyway and he pleaded guilty at the first oppurtunity."

'He does not remember going home and getting into his car. He does not remember what he was doing or why'

The court heard how the judge had imposed that sentence in March 2017, but decided to suspend it for two years.

Mr Lewis had also been banned from driving on two occasions, for a total of three years.

Speaking in court, Mr Lewis' probation worker said he had decided to drive the car after a night of heavy drinking and he later admitted that his behaviour has been 'stupid'.

She added: "He was drinking with his friends to the point where he does not remember going home and getting into his car. He does not remember what he was doing or why."

She then called asked the judge to refrain from sending Mr Lewis to prison and said that he should be allowed to complete anger management and drug and alcohol courses outside prison.

Michael Walsh, mitigating, said it was 'a blip that has marred the progress he has made' but argued that the judge should not activate the original suspended sentence and lock him up because his latest offences were 'wholly different to domestic violence'.

"The public would be better served if the suspended sentence remains in place"

Recorder Simon Eckersley told the court 'this is a serious matter' and that the decision to carry knives can have 'fatal consequences'.

But he also said that Mr Lewis had been doing 'relatively well' on his anger management and drug and alcohol rehabilitation course, and accepted his suspended sentence was imposed for a 'wholly different' offence.

He said: "The public would be better served if the suspended sentence remains in place, which will be until March 2019, and an additional suspended sentence is imposed."

The judge then imposed a six month sentence for possession of a bladed article, which will be suspended for two years.

He also imposed a two-month sentence for possession of a Class B sentence and one month for drink driving. But they will run concurrently with the suspended sentence, which means Mr Lewis walked free from court.

Mr Lewis was disqualified from driving for three-and-a-half years.

