A DRUNK driver drove the wrong way down several busy one-way streets in Darlington, at speed, before crashing into the multi-storey car park at Feethams.

Carl Foley, of Darwen Court, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving while unfit through drink, and having no insurance, when he appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe.

The 27-year-old was spotted driving erratically in his Renault Clio in Northgate, Darlington, on February 11 this year, and police received a report that he might be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Officers waited for him outside the BP garage and then watched him drive out and hit a nearside kerb.

Laura Lax, prosecuting, said: “The car was then driven around a roundabout erratically.

“Officers continued to follow it along St Augustine’s Way in the direction of Bondgate.

“It hit the concrete central reservation coming up towards Skinnergate and then entered a one way street with clear no entry sings.

“The officers were then told to abort the pursuit.

“The officer noted there were several pedestrians around at the time and it was a busy area with public houses and takeaways.

“The CCTV operators continued to observe the Clio.

“It went down another no entry on to Beaumont Street, and then was found at the exit barriers of a multi storey car park, having crashed into the concrete wall and barrier.”

Police tracked Foley and his passenger, his cousin, to the Boot and Shoe pub and arrested them.

Tests showed Foley had been drinking and had taken drugs and he admitted having taken anti-epilepsy prescription drugs as well as having drunk ‘a quantity’ of alcohol.

Ms Lax said aggravating factors included the fact there were pedestrians around and that the vehicle was breaking the speed limit and driving erratically in the town centre when there were people around.

She said the sentencing was ‘clearly Crown Court territory’ and asked for the case to be adjourned to Teesside Crown Court for a judge to sentence.

John Nixon, for Foley, said he attended court on time and had made admissions at an early opportunity.

But magistrates decided their sentencing powers were not sufficient, and postponed the case for a date to be fixed, at Teesside Crown Court.