A SUSPECTED drink driver arrested after a police chase stalled to delay being breathalysed, a court heard.

Adam Ridley was detained after abandoning his MG Z on a track after crossing a stinger tyre-deflating device.

It followed a six-minute pursuit over 4.5 miles around Bishop Auckland, shortly after midnight on May 12.

Durham Crown Court was told after his arrest he was taken to hospital claiming to be suffering from seizures, but then refused medical treatment and so was returned to the police station, where he refused to give a breath test, feigning illness.

Ridley, 32, of Woodland Crescent, Crook, admitted dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen.

Angus Taylor, mitigating, said despite the, “foolishness” at the police station, Ridley did eventually “come clean” at court .

Jailing him for 12-months, with a 42-month driving ban, Judge Jonathan Carroll said: “It was truly shocking and appalling driving and then you did everything and anything to delay the breath test procedure.”