A DETECTIVE was well over the drink-drive limit when he tried to give a chasing police patrol van the slip, a court heard yesterday.

When DC Stephen Peninington crashed and stalled his VW Golf, he asked officers to take him home and forget about it.

Teesside magistrates were told that off-duty Pennington, 38, based in Middlesbrough's CID unit, was spotted driving out of the car park of the Beckfield pub in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton, at 1.45am on October 22.

Pennington, who had a woman passenger in the car, had not noticed a police patrol Transit van parked near the public house with officer Naz Sadiq behind the wheel.

Kate Hills, prosecuting, said the Golf was being driven "erratically".

She said: "It came from the car park and swerved across the road and almost hit the kerb, and then swerved again visibly, almost hitting the opposite kerb.

"The police van put on its blue lights and then the Golf visibly accelerated."

She said Pennington reached speeds of nearly 50mph, and clipped the kerb a few more times before mounting a pavement and stalling.

Officer Sadiq recognised Pennington who said: "Alright Naz, what's happening?"

Pennington was taken from the car and sat in the police vehicle where officer Sadiq told him he was being arrested for drink-driving, and he replied: "You're joking Naz. Can't you take us home? Can't you not just forget about it?"

Pennington, of Badger Lane, Ingleby Barwick, was breathalysed twice at Stockton police station.

The lowest reading was 142 micrograms of alcohol in 100 mls of breath - the legal limit is 35 mgs.

Magistrates were told that Pennington had a previous conviction for drink-driving in January 1990, which was now spent.

For that offence, he was banned from driving for two years and fined £200.

Pennington admitted driving with excess alcohol.

John Dobson, mitigating, said Pennington admitted driving with excess alcohol, but he disputed facts of the case.

He said: "He does not accept he attempted to avoid apprehension and that he clipped kerbs in the car.

He could not see the lights of the police vehicle because the windows of his car were covered in condensation."

He said he had cooperated with police after his arrest.

Magistrates adjourned the case for reports until November 39. Pennington was released on unconditional bail.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman confirmed that Pennington had not been suspended and added: "An integral disciplinary hearing will now take place.