POLICE had to subdue a drink-driver with a gas spray when he objected to them arresting him in the street, York magistrates heard.

Peter David Carrott, 48, is now off the road for 18 months and facing a court bill of £360.

Cathy Turnbull, prosecuting, said a van driver tipped off a passing police patrol that Carrott was over the alcohol limit just before midnight on 20 April.

The police officer pulled Carrott over in Penleys Grove Street, The Groves, and said he was under arrest after he failed a breath test.

But Carrott became aggressive and shouted: “Get off me. Nobody is going to arrest me.”

In the struggle that followed, the police woman suffered a bruised wrist, called for reinforcements and subdued him with her gas spray.

Carrott, of Rudston House, Penleys Grove Street, The Groves, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and obstructing a police officer in the execution of her duty.

He was fined £210, and ordered to pay £50 compensation for her injuries, a £15 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. Ms Turnbull said a breath test at the police station after Carrott had been subdued gave a reading of 63 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

For Carrott, Neal Kutte said his client had been driving home when he was stopped. He had had a couple of drinks some time before he started driving and believed he was safe to drive.

The van driver had been concerned about him because he was driving slowly.

Carrott was not a violent man, but suffered from a phobia about being close to people, which is why he had reacted in the way he had.

On arrival at Fulford Road Police Station, he told police: “I am sorry for kicking off. I just don’t like people touching me.”