Motorists were forced to swerve as a drink driver drove the wrong way down the A127, a court heard.

Michael Robertson, 44, then mounted the central reservation when he saw a police car heading towards him.

Robertson, of Glanmire, Billericay, who tested positive for drink driving, headbutted the breathalyser, saying "help me, help me," the court was told.

He pleaded guilty to charges of driving whilst unfit due to the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving.

Southend magistrates were told police officers had seen the defendant driving the wrong way along the A127 in Westcliff on March 2.

They watched motorists being forced to move out of the way as Robertson headed towards them, before stopping him.

Prosecuting, Karen Jones told the court: "When the defendant was stopped by the police they said he smelt strongly of alcohol, his eyes were glazed and he was unsteady on his feet.

"He was asked why he was driving on the wrong side of the road but he said he did not know."

She added: "A breath test proved positive, and he became agitated and started to headbutt the breathometer saying 'help me, help me'."

Defending, Peter Barlex said his client had been under the care of a mental hospital in Chelmsford.

Robertson had been to a social gathering where his friends said he had been behaving in a hyperactive way.

Mr Barlex said: "He remembers drinking two pints of lager and the next thing he recalls is driving along the A127 and seeing vehicles coming towards him, one of which was a police car, so he drove on to the central reservation to avoid them."

Southend magistrates released the defendant on unconditional bail for the probation service to review his case. He is also due to be assessed by a doctor.

Robertson is set to reappear at the court on June 11 to be sentenced. The magistrates also disqualified him from driving until this date.

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