A MAN who crashed his car into a central reservation before leaving the scene to hide under a bush has been banned from the roads for drink-driving.

Craig Curtis was bleeding from the head when a concerned witness who heard the crash approached the 32-year-old at 1.45am on Saturday, February 24.

Police were called to Knitsley Lane, in Consett, County Durham, and a dog unit found Curtis hiding 300 metres away before a breath test proved he was more than double the drink-drive limit.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Curtis, of Derwent Mews, Consett, was struggling to cope with issues in his personal life and drank that day after receiving bad news.

His solicitor, Suzanne Hanson, added: "He does offer the court his apologies and knows it's unacceptable.

"He knows he posed a risk to himself and other people. He does not have any access to any vehicle at all."

Curtis was banned from driving for one year and eight months. He must also pay a fine of £120, as well as £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.