Dangerous driver 'fell' as he tried to flee after Preston car chase - due to being three times the legal limit

Michael Cross, 41, was almost three times the legal limit when he got behind the wheel of his Toyota Yaris, Preston Crown Court was told.

The scaffolding worker, of Inkerman Street, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, was spotted driving over a roundabout on Kendal Street at around 2.05am on August 15 by a patrol officer.

Prosecuting, Charlie Brown said: “It nearly went through a set of red traffic lights.

“The officer decided to try to stop it.

“The officer got out to speak to the defendant but the defendant, after winding his window down, drove off and the officer began a pursuit.”

The court heard he went onto streets including Raglan Street and Brook Street.

Mr Brown added: “Initially the car was doing 40mph in a 30mph zone and went through a number of red lights including the junction with Aqueduct Street.

“ Eventually the defendant pulled over, got out and ran off but he fell over because he was drunk.”

Cross, who recently separated from his wife, admitted dangerous driving, drink driving and failing to surrender.

Recorder Charles Garside QC said: “ Your domestic difficulties are not an excuse for behaving as you did.”

He was fined £500 and banned for two years.