A Stockbury driver arrested after a police chase told officers he would have kept going if he was in a faster car.

Nigel Black, of South Street Road, was driving along the A249 between Maidstone and Sittingbourne on February 9, when he was spotted swerving in the carriageway.

At Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday Matthew Quantrill, prosecuting, explained how police thought the 51-year-old was drunk, prompting them to try and pull him over.

But instead of stopping, he raced off in his Peugeot 106, prompting a chase which ended in Chalky Road.

The court heard how, when he eventually came to a standstill, he told police: “I couldn’t outrun you. If I was in a bigger car I would have kept going.”

He added: “I drink all the time and always get away with it.”

Black pleaded guilty to driving carelessly, without an appropriate licence or insurance.

The court was told he had not had a driving licence since 1988 due to health reasons.

Sentencing, magistrate Sheila Potipher told Black he was “extremely lucky” not to have caused an accident.

He was fined £100 and disqualified from driving for a year. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.