A DRINK-driver who knocked down a pedestrian near his home in Colne has walked free from court.

James David Whitaker’s Vauxhall Corsa ended up on its roof after the collision with Claire McCarthy in Khyber Street last August, magistrates heard.

It was his second serious driving conviction in 10 years.

Whitaker, 27, of St Andrew’s Close, Colne, admitted to failing to stop and report an accident, and driving with excess alcohol.

He was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, combined with a year-long probation order, with £85 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Whitaker was also banned for three years after the court heard it was his third drink-driving conviction.

His breathlyser reading was 111mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – more than three times the legal limit.