A TEARFUL drink driver who admitted hitting a police officer with his car as he tried to flee the scene in a panic was told he ‘could have killed yourself or others’ - as he was banned from driving for more than two years.

Christopher John Pitt-Pladdy, aged 42, fled from police officers, striking one of them with his Citroen Grand Picasso, at Buckham Down, near Beaminster, around 10.30pm on Tuesday, January 12.

Police officers gave chase and later found his vehicle upside down. An uninjured Pitt-Pladdy was arrested and charged with driving offences.

Prosecuting, Richard Oakley, told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court: “An unmarked police unit on a Covid patrol located an occupied car in a local beauty spot.

“The officers stopped to check the vehicle and the defendant was asleep sitting in the driver’s seat with the engine on.

“When officers woke him, he was startled and he reached the gear stick.

“One of the officers attempted to turn off the ignition but was unable to prevent him from driving away. The door was in contact with a police officer but he was uninjured.”

Police followed and shortly after spotted the defendant's overturned and damaged Citroen Grand Picasso in undergrowth alongside a road junction with Pitt-Pladdy still inside.

Mr Oakley said Pitt-Pladdy appeared to ‘fail to stop at the junction, launched his vehicle into the air and fell in the undergrowth.’

After being removed from the vehicle, Pitt-Pladdy was arrested and escorted to Dorset County Hospital where a sample of blood was taken for analysis. Tests showed there was 245 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of his blood. The drink drive limit is 80 milligrams.

During police interview, Pitt-Pladdy admitted he was ‘startled’ and ‘panicked’ when he was woken up by officers before he crashed his vehicle.

He also explained he was struggling with his mental health and was unable to go to work due to his poor mental state.

Pitt-Pladdy, of East Street, Beaminster, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle above the drink-drive limit and failed to stop the vehicle when asked by police.

On a previous court appearance, an ambulance had to be called for Pitt-Pladdy after he fainted in the dock. Court staff went to his aid as the court room was closed to the public.

Appearing unrepresented, a tearful Pitt-Pladdy told the court: “It’s just to say I am very sorry for my actions.

“It has had a massive impact on myself, family and career and I’m truly very sorry.”

When asked if he will engage with any support offered, he replied: “For the sake of my children, yes”.

Chair of Magistrates, Robert Ford, described his actions as ‘dangerous’ and how Pitt-Pladdy’s actions could have killed either himself or others.

He said: “We do have to say obviously that the most concerning factor was the extremely high levels of alcohol in your blood and you clearly had driven to the site where you were found, then exacerbated it by driving away and hitting a police officer.

“It was lucky he wasn’t injured.

“Imagine the other impact you would have had on other road users if you have collided with anyone. “You could have killed yourself or other people.”

Pitt-Pladdy was issued a 28-month driving ban, an 18-month community order including a six-month alcohol treatment plan, and to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £85 court costs and £95 victim surcharge.