AN engineer driving to hospital for treatment after an alleged assault was arrested for drink-driving, a court heard yesterday.

Police in a patrol car saw Shaun Alan Ashton, 31, of The Crossway, Darlington, sitting in a Ford Mondeo parked at the side of the road just after midnight on August 13, Darlington magistrates were told.

The officers administered a breath test, which showed that Ashton had 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

The court heard that before his arrest Ashton claimed he had been attacked by his girlfriend's ex-husband after an argument. Police are investigating that allegation.

Chris Bunting, for Ashton, said he had been on his way to Darlington Memorial Hospital to get treatment for a cut lip, bruised nose, black eye and bruising behind the ears, when he pulled over and was then approached and breathalysed by police.

Mr Bunting said: "Shortly after the incident involving his girlfriend's former husband, the police were called to the scene, but somebody he knew told him to get himself away. He got in the car and had gone home, but decided himself to go to the hospital to get treatment."

Mr Ashton, who was of previous good character, admitted a charge of driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £150, banned from driving for 12 months, and ordered to pay £55 costs.