Watch: Drink driver who almost hit police is arrested

A motorist who almost drove into a police officer has been disqualified from driving and fined.

Officers from Peterborough city centre neighbourhood policing team said they had spotted a man "staggering" to where his car was parked at Asda in Rivergate, Peterborough, on 11 April.

After almost hitting an officer with his white Peugeot 207, bodycam video footage showed Paul Coulson, 44, refusing to get out of the car but eventually being arrested.

Police reported that Coulson, of Kendrick Close, Peterborough, was almost three times over the legal limit for alcohol.

He had started to drive away when an officer in high-visibility uniform stood in the middle of the road and signalled for him to stop. Officers said he continued to drive and only stopped the car about two feet (61 cm) in front of police.

Coulson was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through alcohol and charged with drink driving when police said he gave an evidential reading in custody of 99 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Coulson appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court and was fined £200 after admitting to the offence.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and two months.

PC Tom Maltby said: “Fortunately, we were nearby and able to stop Coulson before he drove off.

“Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs is incredibly dangerous. If you find yourself unable to drive, please arrange alternative transport to avoid putting lives at risk.”

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