A DRIVER who was almost four times over the legal alcohol limit when he crashed into a police car has escaped a jail sentence.

Philip Sutcliffe was warned by a judge that he was in a "descending spiral of hopelessness" because of his drink problem.

The 59-year-old horticultural expert was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to attend a tough alcohol programme. He was banned from driving for four years.

Sutcliffe, of Station Road, Pluckley, admitted dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how police were informed that Sutcliffe had left a Pluckley pub on April 14 very drunk and toppled over in the car park.

Valeria Swift, prosecuting, said officers found Sutcliffe’s car up a bank in Pluckley Road. As they went to check on the car it reversed down the bank.

"It then drove off and police followed," said Miss Swift. "It was swerving up and down embankments and from one side of the road to the other.

"It stopped and once again the reversing lights came on and he backed into the police car and drove off again."

The car eventually ploughed through a hedge into a field. He was breathalysed and the high reading was taken.

He had previous convictions for drink-related offences, including drink-driving in 1999.

Mark Weekes, defending, said Sutcliffe had led a respectable life and ought to be enjoying the fruits of his hard work. He was so highly regarded as a horticulturist that officials at Kew Gardens frequently sought his advice.

"He has a serious addiction," said Mr Weekes. "It is not an addiction into which he has fallen lightly."

His business had gone into bankruptcy and his son had died.

Judge Andrew Patience, QC, told Sutcliffe, who appeared to fall asleep in the dock: "You are in a sorry state. You have a very serious alcohol problem, haven’t you?

"Believe me, you have and I hope the day comes very soon when you realise it, because until you do you are in a descending spiral of hopelessness."

The judge said he was "going to take a risk" and not send him to prison.

He added: "This is a disgraceful case. How dare you get into a car when you are nearly four times the legal limit, put a police car and its occupants at risk and risk your own and others’ lives. Your driving days are over now for four years."

Sutcliffe will be under supervision for 18 months and have to participate in a Home Office drink-driver’s programme.