A ‘kind, humble and compassionate’ doctor has been banned from the road after being caught drink-driving.

Debasish Banerjee, of Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to driving with excess alcohol.

The court heard Banerjee was seen driving in a bus lane by a police officer.

When the doctor arrived home after the officer had tried to stop him he ran inside his house and tried to dash upstairs.

Prosecutor Adele Cook said the offence occurred shortly after 11.20pm on April 30.

The police officer, a chief inspector, was driving near Suffolk Constabulary’s Martlesham headquarters when he saw a Mercedes E220 in the bus lane. The vehicle then clipped the kerb.

The officer put his car’s blue lights on, but the Mercedes did not stop.

Banerjee, who was at the wheel, carried on into Wilkinson Drive before arriving at his home.

Mrs Cook said he ran to the front door and entered the house. However, the officer followed him and grabbed hold of Banerjee as he tried to run up the stairs.

Although Banerjee failed to provide a roadside breath specimen, a subsequent test at the police investigation centre showed he had 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Hugh Rowland, representing Banerjee, said the clinician’s court appearance represented a new low in his life.

Testimonials handed into the court described Banerjee as a committed professional who was kind, humble, trustworthy and compassionate.

He was also described as being an outstanding clinician, who was risk adverse and responsible.

Mr Rowland said on the night in question Banerjee had not originally intended to drive.

Banerjee was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £85 as well as £100 to the victims’ fund.

n In a separate case Darren Parker, of Manor Road, Felixstowe, also lost his licence after admitting drink-driving.

The 27-year-old was caught at 2am on May 1 in Boyton Road, Ipswich.

The court heard officers were in Nacton Road and saw Parker’s vehicle. The Volkswagen Polo came to a stop with four men inside, including Parker, who was driving.

When an officer spoke to him he noticed alcohol in the car. A roadside breath test indicated a positive reading.

An intoximeter showed Parker had 48mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.

Parker, representing himself, told the court: “I didn’t realise I was over the limit.”

He was disqualified from driving for 12months.

Parker was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs as well as £30 to the victims’ fund.