A DRUNKEN man fled from police after undertaking the officer, driving on the pavement before abandoning his car and phoning the force to report it stolen.

Peter Rushen, 38, pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving relating to incidents on the A31 on September 2 this year.

He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, November 9.

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Prosecuting, Jack Wright told the court the defendant approached a police officer “at speed” on the A31, before undertaking him. The police officer watched Rushen perform the same manoeuvre and decided to pull him over.

Mr Wright said: “[Rushen] proceeded through two roundabouts, the officer believed he was looking for a place to pull over.

“At this point he speeds up and starts to travel at 60mph in a 30mph zone, increasing to 70mph in a 30mph zone.”

Mr Wright said, to evade stationary vehicles in the road, Rushen pulled onto the footpath, prompting the officer to make “tactical contact” with his car.

The officer managed to stop Rushen in a bush, he then reversed away and drove down residential roads and into the Sainsbury’s carpark.

Mr Wright added: “Shortly after this, Rushen having left the vehicle, makes a call to police reporting the vehicle as stolen. Officers attended and from CCTV identified him as the driver.

“He led officers to discarded bottles, officers believed it was a delaying tactic before a breathalyser.”

Rushen eventually gave a reading of 71 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of blood, the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Mitigating, Kevin Hill said Rushen was suicidal at the time and was on his way to say goodbye to his parents.

He added that the defendant’s marriage had broken down and he had acquired debts which he had not told his wife about.

Since the incident, he was receiving help, had reconciled with his wife and left his role as a self-employed carer to work for a care home.

Recorder Hannah Willcocks QC sentenced Rushen to ten months imprisonment, suspended for 15 months.

She said: “There were pedestrians and small children in the vicinity. You moved along the footpath, the police officer thought it was so dangerous he felt the only option was to make contact.

“Members of the public helped locate your vehicle. You then reported your vehicle stolen, you then finally admitted you had been driving and drinking.

“This is a very sad course of events. You put yourself and others at great risk of significant harm.

“Only a custodial sentence is justified, however I am just prepared to suspend it.”

Rushen,of Fairview Close, Barton St David, Somerton, was also ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation requirement days, disqualified from driving for 12 months and made to pay £50 in costs.