A lorry driver trailed a car weaving and bouncing off kerbs on the wrong side of the road for 20 minutes as he tried to negotiate the A46, a court heard. One of the wheels was "down to its alloys" and the windscreen was smashed but still the car driver went on, the lorry driver recalled. Humberside
police tracked the silver Nissan Qashqai to a lay-by where the driver was breath tested and found to be more than three-and-a-half times the drink drive limit. Farmer, John Farrow, of Spridlington Road, Faldingworth, near Market Rasen admitted dangerous driving and driving over the prescribed limit when he appeared at Grimsby Crown Court. Prosecutor, Michael Masson said the lorry driver was concerned at the erratic manner of the driving on the A46 in the early hours of January 24 this year and the potential of a collision with on-coming vehicles. READ MORE: More court news Armed police called to Cleethorpes street after 'gunshots' heard "He kept the car under his observations. It went on for 20 minutes. The driver pulled over and the lorry driver pulled over, until he set off again. He alerted police and stayed within view, until he knew police officers were on their way," told Mr Masson. When police attended the Nissan was in a lay-by and Farrow sat in a passenger seat. The windscreen was smashed and one of the wheels was shredded down to the alloy. He told police he had not been the driver, but did not know the name of the person who had been driving, the prosecutor said. In a breath test he blew 131mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, the legal limit being 35mcgs. In interview with police, he became "inconsistent", said Mr Masson. He said he had driven after falling out with his partner. He did not know how the car was damaged. "He told police he pulled over to drink a few bottles of cider, so that he would not be a hazard to other road users," said Mr Masson. He then became abusive and told officers: "Why don't you try spending your time catching nonces?" The prosecutor said he later apologised to officers and when he was asked who was driving, he replied he was not sure. For Farrow, Craig Lowe submitted letters from the defendant and his sister. The defence barrister said there were no other vehicles on the road and no one had to move out of the way. He described his client as "a functioning alcoholic" who is seeking help from a support agency. He said his client was sorry for the offence. Sentencing Farrow, Recorder David Gordon said: "Driving is a responsibility, not a right. In the wrong hands, such as yours, it can be an extremely dangerous piece of machinery, capable of causing harm and damage. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved. It was a terrible piece of driving. You were three-and-a-half times the legal limit and this was a disgraceful piece of driving." He sentenced Farrow to a total of five months in
prison, but suspended the sentence for 18 months. He fined the driver £750 and banned him from driving for two years. Farrow will have to take an extended retest to regain his driving licence.