A FLINT man who was caught significantly over the drink-drive limit admitted his actions had been "ridiculous."

Darren Price, of Min Awel, was produced in custody at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.

The 51-year-old admitted one offence of drink-driving, which took place in Flint on Monday.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that just before 2pm, police were driving behind the defendant's Volkswagen Passat on the A548 in Oakenholt.

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His manner of driving caught their attention - with him slowing down to around 20mph in a 40 zone, then swerving and making a sharp correction.

The officers activated their blue light, causing the defendant to pull over - but as the police car pulled in behind him, he set off again.

He was followed into Flint, where he turned into Albert Avenue.

Price complied and pulled over when the officers once again activated their emergency lights and siren, pulling alongside him this time.

He wound down the driver-side window, appearing "confused" and "not aware of his surroundings."

Asked for the keys to his vehicle, he couldn't locate them.

Ms Jackson said the defendant was unsteady on his feet when he got out of the car, and had "glazed eyes," as well as a strong smell of alcohol.

A positive roadside sample resulted in his arrest, following which he gave an evidential reading of 146 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the limit being 35.

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Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court; "Mr Price fully accepts responsibility for this offence.

"He'd finished work earlier that day and was on his way home.

"He accepts he'd been drinking and tells me that his alcohol consumption has escalated out of hand since June this year."

Mr Connah said the defendant's drinking appeared to have been a way to deal with the panic or stress of a medical diagnosis he'd received earlier in the year.

But the probation officer said: "He fully understands his actions were ridiculous.

The Leader:

"He is in full time employment in the aircraft industry."

In limited submissions to the court, Euros Jones, defending, agreed with the preliminary sentencing option put forward by District Judge Gwyn Jones of a suspended sentence.

The District Judge handed down a 16 week custodial sentence, but suspended it for a year.

Price must pay a victim surcharge of £154 and £85 costs.

He was banned from driving for three years.

The District Judge warned him: "Don't drive whilst banned, or you'll see the cells again."