A VOLUNTEER drugs worker has admitted nearly running down a pedestrian while he was high on a cocktail of pills.

Heroin addict Paul William Fenwick, 29, of Briardale, Delves Lane, near Consett, made off in his Ford Escort when approached by police.

The car mounted the kerb and nearly crashed into a woman on the footpath.

Tests later revealed he had high levels of the prescription drugs diazepam and temazepam in his blood.

Appearing at Consett Magistrates Court yesterday, Fenwick pleaded guilty to driving while unfit due to drugs. He also admitted driving without due care and attention and failing on request to produce his licence, vehicle test certificate and insurance.

He pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving and the charge was dropped.

The court heard police pulled Fenwick over after watching him narrowly miss the pedestrian.

As Fenwick got out of his car, he was barely able to stand and his speech was slurred.

Solicitor David Malone told the court his client had started taking drugs, including heroin, when he was 16.

Fenwick, who is serving a Community Rehabilitation Order for careless driving, imposed by Peterlee Magistrates Court, went through a detoxification programme in 2002 and has battled his addictions ever since.

Mr Malone said his client had never worked, but had recently been taken on as a volunteer by the North-East Council on Addictions (NECA), and was advising young people on the dangers of substance abuse.

The case was adjourned for sentencing, to take place at Peterlee Magistrates Court on September 10.