A drink-driver who abused rescuers from the wreckage of a crash he caused on the A12 has been banned from getting behind the wheel for almost two years.

Christopher Marais said he was “truly very sorry” to everyone involved in the collision he caused while twice the alcohol limit on Sunday, February 23.

The 33-year-old admitted drink-driving and careless driving at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

The court heard how his black BMW 118 smashed into the back of a Ford Mondeo on the northbound carriageway of the road, between Washbrook and Copdock, near Ipswich, shortly before 9.30pm.

The road was closed for two hours while police, paramedics, firefighters and an air ambulance crew attended the scene.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said Marais appeared intoxicated when rescuers found him trapped behind the wheel of his wrecked car.

“He was shouting and abusive towards ambulance staff and firefighters trying to cut him free,” she added.

“He was taken to an ambulance, where he refused to provide a breath sample several times and continued to mess around.

“At hospital, he eventually agreed to provide a sample of blood at 2.26am.

“He was later released under investigation by police until results showed he was almost twice the limit.”

Marais, of Cranfield Park, Burstall, was found to have 154 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit being 80mg.

During a police interview on May 30, he denied any memory of events beyond fainting after his car spun out of control.

Marais, who had no previous convictions before appearing at court this week, told magistrates he had been dealing with alcohol addiction since the age of 16, and had relapsed, but was now sober for two months since checking himself into rehab.

“I’m living an honest life now,” he said.

“I want to accept the consequences of my actions.

“I know I was in the wrong, but I’d like to think I’m turning over a new leaf.

“I just want to get this over with and tell everyone involved that I’m truly sorry.”

Marais was disqualified from driving for 20 months and fined a total of £475.