A Chard man who was more than double the drink drive limit when he lost control of his car and drove into a hedge then fled the scene in panic before police arrived.

Witnesses to the crash approached the vehicle and found Krzystof Drobek sat in the driver’s seat and he refused to get out and attempted to reverse out of the hedge.

However the police were called, but by the time they arrived the defendant had left. He was located a short time later following an aerial tour and provided a positive breath test.

Drobek, 21, of Coker Way, pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall Vectra on Millfield in Chard on August 13 when he appeared before District Judge David Taylor, sitting at Yeovil.

The court was told that police were called to the scene of the accident at 3.20am after the defendant had been seen driving at excess speed and then ended up driving into a hedge at the bottom of the road.

“Witnesses approached the vehicle and only the male driver was inside and the engine continued to run,” said prosecutor Emma Lenanton.

“Initially the defendant refused to get out and attempted to reverse out of the hedge, and when the police were called the male had left before they attended.

“Police checks revealed that the vehicle was registered to Drobek so they conducted an aerial tour and he was located a short distance away and arrested.”

He was taken into police custody after he was seen to be unsteady on his feet, his eyes were glazed and he smelt of alcohol.

A breath test produced a reading of 77mcg of alcohol in 100mml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol.

Defending solicitor Nicola Smailes said that her client ran away from the scene because he was scared as he had never been in trouble before.

“He cannot give any reason why he drove that day and although he works in a factory he will be able to continue with his employment even though he will be disqualified,” she said.

District Judge Taylor said: “It is clear that the way you were driving, combined with the accident, showed that the amount you drank had a real effect on you.

“As a result you obviously posed a real risk to yourself and other road users.”

He banned Drobek from driving for 20 months and fined him £300 with £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.