ANDREW Hemming admitted driving with excess alcohol while disqualified, using threatening words and behaviour and obstructing a police officer at Stroud Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, September 8.

The court heard how Hemming, 47, was spotted driving erratically by police in Cirencester Road near Stroud around 9am on Sunday, August 14.

A roadside test found he had 84 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Officers then attempted to lead Hemming away from the road for his safety, at which point he was warned about using foul language.

He also began struggling and kicked out – striking an officer’s leg causing bruising.

Defending himself in court, Hemming, of Lilac Cottages, Ebley, said he apologised in police interview for the injury and admitted he was fully aware he was driving while already disqualified.

He added that he was returning from a friend’s party in Lechlade the previous evening and was forced to drive that morning as his passenger, who had an appointment in Rodborough, complained of feeling unwell.

He also said he was under ‘a great deal of stress’ due to an illness his father was suffering from and accused one of the police officers involved in the incident of being aggressive towards him.

For the drink driving offence, he received a 22-month ban to run concurrently with a six-month ban for driving while disqualified.

He was also ordered to do 150 hours community service over 12-months and told to pay £85 costs with £50 compensation to the injured police officer.