A MAN who spat at police officers after being arrested for drink-driving appeared before magistrates today (Thursday, May 15).

Graeme Anthony Hogg was found unconscious and slumped over the wheel of his Vauxhall Vectra following a collision with a fence on McMullen Road, Darlington, during the early hours of Boxing Day.

Alan Davidson, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, said: “The defendant started to shout and struggle with officers.

“He was sweating profusely and smelt strongly of alcohol. When he was taken to a marked police vehicle, he spat at the officers, hitting two of them in the face.”

Mr Davidson said the 32-year-old, who had traces of a white powdery substance around his nostrils, spat at the officers again at the police station.

A small quantity of cocaine was found in his car, while a search of his home revealed a quantity of cannabis.

A breath test showed Hogg, of Heritage Court, Darlington, had 63 microgrammes (mg) of alcohol in his breath at the time of the accident, almost twice the legal limit of 35 mg.

Hogg pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting a police officer, drink-driving, possessing a class B drug, attempting to possess a class A drug and driving a vehicle without a valid test certificate.

Emma Richards, mitigating, said Hogg could remember very little of the incident but accepted the police officers’ account.

“He was taking a growth hormone as part of a training programme and believes that is the reason he has no recollection of the incident,” she added.

The case was adjourned until Wednesday, June 12, for probation reports.