POLICE have released video of a suspected drink-driver being stopped by a stinger device and arrested on the M5 motorway near Wellington.

Stuart Kent, aged 45, from Benfieldside, Durham, was followed as he swerved across the motorway, and struggled to stand up when he was stopped.

Police found empty cider bottles in his van.

Kent, who has since been disqualified from driving for three years and given a suspended prison term, failed to co-operate with a roadside breath test and after being arrested he failed to provide a specimen for analysis.

He told the arresting officer: “I am damned if I do, and damned if I don’t.”

Kent who pleaded guilty last week in Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to driving a vehicle without due care and attention and failing to co-operate or provide a specimen, was given a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18-months, and must pay a £154 victim surcharge, and court costs of £85.

Magistrates said his 36-month driving disqualification will be reduced by 36 weeks if he successfully completes a course, while they also ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

PC Mike Chapman, officer in the case, said: “This is an appalling case where a driver under the influence of alcohol drove a significant distance along the M5 southbound, at times swerving and narrowly avoiding collisions with other vehicles.

“He made a conscious decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, and we welcome this sentence as he now will not be able to put himself or others at risk of serious injury, or worse, through his careless actions.

“If you fail to provide a sample, you will be charged with that offence which can be as serious as drink-driving itself.”

Kent had been travelling southbound in a Vauxhall Vivaro panel van on the M5 from Avonmouth at about 8.55 pm on Sunday, November 30.

The vehicle was described to be swerving and unable to be driven in a straight line, at times travelling close to other vehicles and narrowly avoiding several collisions.

Officers who arrived at the scene described the vehicle as ‘swerving between lanes’ and were concerned the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Pre-emptive tactics and a stinger device were then used to stop the vehicle in the interests of public safety near the Taunton Deane motorway service station.

When Kent was out of the vehicle, an officer said to him while he appeared to stumble: “Having trouble standing up a little bit, are we?”

Kent smelled strongly of alcohol but refused to provide a roadside breath sample while in the back of a patrol car, and was subsequently arrested.

He was then taken to a custody unit in Bridgwater where he refused to provide a further sample of breath for analysis without providing a medical reason.

Kent initially pleaded guilty to the offences in Taunton Magistrates’ Court on December 15, where he was given an interim driving ban ahead of sentencing.