Officers activated flashing blue lights on their patrol car after a computer check revealed a Ford Escort driven by John Buckley (43) was not covered by insurance.

They followed the Escort along Markham Road, Duckmanton, at 2pm on 13th May and saw it travel at 50mph in a 30mph zone and negotiate a roundabout the wrong way in order to take a short cut.

The car drove on the wrong side of the road for 200 yards before pulling into a garage compound, where Buckley failed a roadside breath test and was arrested.

Chesterfield magistrates were told last Wednesday that he went on to supply a reading of 100mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath – almost three times the 35mcgs limit.

Defence solicitor Kevin Tomlinson said Buckley's car had been stored in the Elm Tree pub car park, Staveley, since last October.

"On the day of the offence he received a letter from the county court saying he had to vacate his home," said Mr Tomlinson.

"A repossession order had been obtained because he had failed to maintain mortgage payments. He was a scaffolder but he had been laid off work."

Mr Tomlinson said the impending eviction led to Buckley –– already on medication for depression and anxiety –– topping up his drinking from the previous night with more beer at the Elm Tree.

He wanted to get the car roadworthy so he could look for a new home and a job and was taking it to a garage in Bolsover when police saw him.

"He can't explain why he didn't stop. He says his head was messed up. He held his hands out to be handcuffed after getting out of the car," added Mr Tomlinson.

Buckley who has since moved from Moorfield Square, Bolsover, to stay at the Elm Tree, which is run by a friend, admitted drink-driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving without insurance, MOT, and vehicle excise duty.

Magistrates decided their sentencing powers were insufficient in this case. They imposed an interim driving ban and committed him to be sentenced by a judge at Derby Crown Court on 1st August.