A MAN drove along the A12 on a blown-out tyre, screeching down the road on his wheel rim, a court has heard.The extent of the damage to the road was such that traffic police officers were able to catch Ashley Durrant by following the trail of marks he had left behind in the road surface.

A MAN drove along the A12 on a blown-out tyre, screeching down the road on his wheel rim, a court has heard.

The extent of the damage to the road was such that traffic police officers were able to catch Ashley Durrant by following the trail of marks he had left behind in the road surface.

Durrant, 31, of Christchurch Drive, Woodbridge, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich but was unable to enter a plea for driving whilst unfit due to drink as his test results were not available to put before the court.

David Taylor, prosecuting, said Durrant had suffered a blow-out on a tyre on his Ford Mondeo while driving on the A12 northbound at Martlesham at 11.30pm on August 11.

But instead of stopping to fix the problem, he had carried on driving on the wheel rim.

He said: “He drove some five miles to his home in Christchurch Drive, Woodbridge. Police officers saw gouge marks on the road and followed them to his address.”

He added: “In relation to the driving whilst unfit charge we do not know the level of alcohol.

“We are happy he has co-operated fully by giving officers details of all of his drinking that night.”

The case was adjourned until September 17, with chairman of the bench Anthony Baker imposing an interim disqualification from driving order for at least six months.

Durrant, who represented himself at the hearing, was released on unconditional bail to return to South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court at 10am on September 17.