Drink-driver banned

A DRINK-DRIVER who fled from his car was found by police trying to get away in a taxi, a court has heard.Joe Socratous, 25, ran from the Nissan Micra, in High Beech, Lowestoft, when he realised he was being followed by police, but was identified as being in the front seat of a taxi a short time later.

A DRINK-DRIVER who fled from his car was found by police trying to get away in a taxi, a court has heard.

Joe Socratous, 25, ran from the Nissan Micra, in High Beech, Lowestoft, when he realised he was being followed by police, but was identified as being in the front seat of a taxi a short time later.

Mitzy Bond, prosecuting at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court, said Socratous initially refused to provide a breath sample, but eventually gave a reading of 58mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Socratous, of Brendon Close, Oulton, Lowestoft, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared in court on Tuesday.

He had a previous conviction for drink-driving, so was banned from the roads for three years, fined �500 and ordered to pay total costs of �58.

Damien Moore, for Socratous, said his client had returned from working offshore as an instrument technician, and had drunk about four cans of lager before borrowing his mother's car to go to get something to eat on April 25.

'When he realised the police were following him he admitted he stupidly ran from the scene,' added Mr Moore.