A former police officer from Cambridgeshire who drove the wrong way on the A1M high on drugs has been given a suspended jail term.

Motorists on the A1M in Hertfordshire were shocked to see David Parfitt's car driving towards them.

The 49-year-old had a large amount of methylamphetamine in his system.

Parfitt, of Bretton, Peterborough, drove in the wrong direction for about eight miles travelling south on the northbound carriageway from junction 10, near Baldock, to junction 6 for Welwyn Garden City.

A driver told police he was "speechless" after narrowly avoiding Parfitt's car by swerving onto the hard shoulder.

Drivers reported seeing Parfitt's Rover veering between lanes but he eventually stopped the car himself before being arrested in the early hours of December, 27 2016, St Albans Crown Court heard.

The former Metropolitan police officer admitted possessing the drug, dangerous driving, and driving while unfit through drugs.

He left the force suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder after attending the aftermath of the London 7/7 bombings in 2005 and dealing with body parts.

Parfitt was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and will have to take an extended test before being able to drive again.

