A DISQUALIFIED driver who was caught in a drunken state behind the wheel of a car appeared before magistrates today (Friday, December 20).

Police stopped a Vauxhall Astra driven by Lewis Cummings, of Princes Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in the town on the night of Sunday, September 29.

John Garside, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, said officers had spotted the car travelling with no lights on in the market place and had sounded their sirens and flashed their lights to signal for it to stop.

Cummings initially failed to stop and was pursued by police onto South Church Road until he eventually pulled over on the A6072 road.

“The driver was identified as being Lewis Cummings and officers noted he smelt strongly of drink,” said Mr Garside.

“He admitted he was a disqualified driver and was arrested and taken to Bishop Auckland Police Station.”

Tests revealed 100mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, almost three times the legal limit of 35mg.

The court heard how the 21-year-old had been convicted of drink-driving last September and disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Cummings pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving with excess alcohol, driving with no insurance and failing to stop for a police officer.

He originally denied the offences but changed his plea before the trial was due to take place this afternoon (Friday).

John Turner, mitigating, said Cummings was receiving treatment for a mental health problem and requested full probation reports be carried out.

Magistrates adjourned the case until Friday, January 17.

Cummings received unconditional bail.