A speeding driver who failed to take a breath test after being pursued by police has been disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Dorin Munteanu pleaded guilty before Ipswich magistrates to careless driving and failing to provide a specimen on October 13.

Ian Devine, prosecuting, said two police officers saw 23-year-old Munteanu in a Mercedes apparently travelling at speed along St Margaret’s Street in Ipswich before going into Woodbridge Road.

The Mercedes was travelling at an excessive speed, undertaking and overtaking vehicles on the one-way section of Woodbridge Road.

The car turned right into Argyle Street. As it made the turn the officers put their car’s blue lights on and followed the Mercedes.

The Mercedes went through a red light at the crossroads with St Helen’s Street and into Grimwade Street for a short distance before making a sharp left into Rope Walk. It then made another sharp left hand turn into Dove Street before skidding and narrowly missing parked vehicles.

Magistrates were told Munteanu then turned sharply left again into St Helen’s Street where he braked heavily to avoid a collision.

The Romanian labourer was arrested and asked what he had done wrong.

The court heard he smelled heavily of drink, but when asked to provide a breath sample he told an officer he did not speak English and subsequently failed to provide one.

In addition to his ban Munteanu, of south-east London, was given a community order with 100 hours’ unpaid work and fined £120. He must also pay £85 costs and £85 to the victims’ fund.