A DRINK-DRIVER who hid behind a bush to escape police following a collision has been banned from driving for 17 months.

Paul Schofield, 47, of Hemsley Road, Trowbridge, drove into the back of a BMW on the B3105 at Staverton in November, when he was rushing home worried about his sick mother - and the court heard when he got home he found her unconscious.

On Friday, at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court Schofield admitted that he had pulled up to traffic lights in his Peugeot van but failed to stop in time.

Prosecuting, Kate Prince said: “Mr Schofield was seen to walk away, hide behind a bush and run away from officers.”

Officers then searched the area, and found him shortly afterwards and breathalysed him. Schofield blew a reading of 87 when the legal limit is 35.

Schofield, who was unrepresented, said he had been drinking all day with no food and became worried about his mum.

“I have been caring for my mum for years as she has not been well. On the day I had been calling my mum and she wasn’t answering. I panicked and got into my van and I shouldn’t have,” he told the bench.

Magistrates banned Schofield from driving for 17 months, ordered him to pay a fine of £369, £85 court costs and £36 victim surcharge.