Drink driver tried to hide from police

Christopher Fellows, of Sackville Road, could not provide a blood sample for police because he claimed to have a "severe fear of needles."

A subsequent urine test showed the 43-year-old print finisher was around twice over the legal limit.

Alison May, prosecuting, said: "Officers on a mobile patrol on Dorest Road saw a vehicle trying to overtake another car while going round a blind bend.

"There was no collision but when police shouted at the car to stop it sped off. Police lost sight of the car but they tracked it down only for the driver to try and hide in some nearby undergrowth."

Fellows, who was not represented in court, said: "I was in Hastings because some friends had rung me to say they were going to a wedding reception. I went along and drank some cider which I wrongly thought was normal strength.

"Some ladies I was chatting to said they wanted to go clubbing and asked me for a lift home. In my own stupidity I agreed.

"When the officers waved at me to stop I thought they were just asking me to slow down and I did not try and hide from them in any bushes when they caught up with me."

Fellows pleaded guilty to drink driving and was fined 250 and disqualified for two years.

Andrew Burradge, chair of magistrates, said: "We took into account your early guilty plea but also the amount of alcohol in your system."