A BOTTLE of Jack Daniel's fell from an overturned car as police tried to rescue the driver, a court heard yesterday.

Once he was free, the rescued man tried to kick a police officer in the head.

Geoffrey Robinson, 53, of Farm Close, Newcastle, was one-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit when he crashed his Ford Ka near Junction 60 of the A1 Southbound, near Sedgefield, County Durham.

He had already forced another car off the road before his car crashed into the central reservation and landed on its roof.

His car came to rest in the outside lane.

Robinson pleaded guilty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court to driving with excess alcohol, dangerous driving, and resisting a police officer.

He was given a 16-week suspended prison sentence, 200 hours community service, and was banned from driving for two years. He was also ordered to pay £43 costs.

The court heard Robinson was swerving between lanes and driving erratically at 12.30am on Friday, July 7, when concerned drivers called police.

Police from Durham caught up with Robinson and flashed their lights, but he sped away and overtook another car.

He collided with a Ford Focus, which was forced on to the hard shoulder, before his car crashed into the central reservation.

After being freed, he aimed a kick at a police officer's head. The officer was kneeling after helping Robinson get out of the car.

Robinson swore at the officers while struggling violently and aiming further kicks.

CS gas was used to restrain him.

Paul McAlindon, defending, told the court Robinson had been drinking with his son in Newcastle when he received bad news about his father, who suffers from dementia.

He phoned his mother, who lives in Yorkshire, to tell her the bad news, and decided to drive to her house when she became upset.

Mr McAlindon said: "My client accepts all the charges, and has told me: 'Whatever the court decides to do, that's fair enough. I was wrong and I hold my hands up.'

"My client doesn't blame anybody else. He has shown deep remorse."

Mr McAlindon also said Robinson had been hit by his car's air-bag during the crash and was dazed, as well as upset about his father.

Robinson, who was of previous good character, said he would never drive again.