A DRINK-driver involved in a “stand off” with a police car before driving off was tracked down to a local pub, magistrates have heard.

Magnus Everard Derrick, 51, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop when directed by a police officer after an incident on 16 January.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said police had received a tip at around 4.45pm about a suspected drink-driver with details of the vehicle.

A police officer attended at the home of the registered keeper of the vehicle and saw Derrick, of Ty Bothy, Cwm Cou, driving his Isuzu pickup toward the property’s driveway.

However, when the officer put the police car’s lights on, he then reversed back down the lane toward the police car.

Despite sounding the siren on the police car, the officer had to move the car to stop Derrick from driving into it.

Ms Tench said Derrick’s vehicle ended up facing the police officer, but when she gestured for him to get out of the vehicle he shook his head and then gestured to the officer to get out of the way before driving forward to try to push past the police car.

The officer moved in order to avoid any damage to the patrol car, and Derrick drove off.

He was later tracked down at a nearby pub and, following his arrest, was found to have 40 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson said Derrick’s alcohol reading was only just above the legal limit and said that he regrets his actions on the day.

She said: “Mr Derrick tells me he regrets his actions on this evening and wishes to apologise for them.”

Ms Hanson added that a driving ban would cause problems for Derrick.

Derrick was banned from driving for a year. He was also fined £240 and will pay costs of £115.