A VAN driver seen swerving across the M5 motorway near Wellington who had to be stopped by police using a stinger device and who then refused to give a breath sample will be sentenced by magistrates next month.

Stuart Kent, aged 45, from Benfieldside, Durham, appeared in Taunton Magistrates’ Court charged with driving a vehicle without due care and attention, failing to co-operate with a preliminary test, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis on Monday, December 15.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was immediately given an interim disqualification from driving, before the case was adjourned for sentencing to take place in Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on January 27.

The charges related to an incident involving a suspected drink driver who was travelling southbound on the M5 from Avonmouth at about 8.55 pm on Sunday, November 30.

His vehicle, a Vauxhall Vivaro panel van, was said to be swerving and unable to be driven in a straight line, at times travelling close to other vehicles and narrowly avoiding several collisions.

Police who arrived on scene described the vehicle as ‘swerving between lanes’ and they 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.

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

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

PC Nick Steele, a member of the roads policing unit, said: “If you drink or drug drive and you are involved in a collision, you are much more likely to lose your life or kill somebody else, and I think that message really does need to sink home with some people.

“Most people need a car to get to work and a driving licence to do their jobs, and if you lose that licence it will mean having a very uncomfortable conversation with a supervisor or a manager because you cannot fulfil that role.

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

Police have arrested a total of 181 people on suspicion of drink or drug driving since launching their annual month-long Christmas roads policing operation on December 1, which is significantly more than the 148 arrests made in the same period last year.

Avon and Somerset’s roads policing team has been carrying out proactive roadside checks and talking to motorists about the dangers of drink and drug driving, which has been the core factor in 25 per cent of all fatal collisions so far this year.

Police are urging people who live in Avon and Somerset’s villages, towns, and cities to report anybody they suspect is getting behind the wheel while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.