A drink driver who panicked when police tried to pull him over because he had a flat tyre has been banned from driving.

Richard Whitworth was spotted driving erratically along Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe, but tried to drive off when police activated their blue lights, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.

The 42-year-old engineer was found to have 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when he carried out a roadside test - the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Paul Doney, prosecuting, said: “The police followed him because the rear tyre looked flat, They have activated the blue lights but he has failed to stop.

“He did then stop and on arrest he struggled with the police officers. He was trying to pull away from officers and had to be taken to the floor.”

Whitworth, of Sugarhill Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, pleaded guilty to drink driving, failing to stop for the police, and obstructing a police officer, following his arrest on April 27.

Amrit Jandoo, mitigating, said his client needed his licence to get to the Tyne Tunnel where he worked as an engineer.

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“He had drunk two bottles and lager – he wasn’t intoxicated,” he said. “He panicked when he has seen the police. He was driving erratically due to the flat tyre rather than intoxication.

“He is furious with himself and ashamed of his actions.

“He knows his job is significantly at risk as he knows he has to travel by car to work.”

District Judge Marie Mallon banned Whitworth from driving for 12 months, fined him £500 and ordered him to pay £285 towards court costs.