A SUSPECTED drink-driver startled a householder who found him sleeping on the sofa, a court heard.

Kevin Lee Curtis Downes, 28, had been given permission by someone else living at the house, in Lee Road, Stacksteads, to get his head down, Pennine magistrates were told.

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But he still fled the address and got into a white panel van, parked outside, and sparked a police hunt. His van was located in Newchurch Road and a police patrol car began following.

The motorist eventually pulled the van over but tried to run off and was caught by officers trying to scale a fence nearby, the court heard.

Downes, 28, of Prospect Terrace, Stacksteads, admitted failing to provide a specimen and obstructing police. He was given 100 hours community service with £85 court costs.