A DRINK-driving managing director drove off in panic when stopped by police.

Initially Mark Lewis, 52, pulled into a bus stop but as police approached he drove off at speed.

When later seen in the Penycae area of Wrexham in his distinctive orange Ford Ranger, he pulled over and apologised for what he had done.

North East Wales Magistrates Court heard how a ban would affect him in the running of his company and he would have to employ a driver.

Lewis, 52, of Old School Court in Ruabon, near Wrexham, admitted driving with 55 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath compared to the legal limit of 35.

He was banned from driving for 14 months, although that could be reduced by a quarter if he successfully completes a drink drive rehabilitation course.

He was fined £700 with £80 costs and a £40 surcharge after he also admitted a failing to stop charge.

District judge Gwyn Jones told him that he had made an extremely foolish decision to drive which would have a significant impact upon him and others who depended upon him.

Prosecutor John Wylde said at 9.35pm on November 10 police turned around and followed him and put on blue lights and siren to indicate him to stop.

He pulled into a bus stop outside the Co-op in Johnstown but as officers approached Lewis made off at speed and the vehicle was lost in the Penycae area.

An alert was put out and when the vehicle was later spotted Lewis was approached and apologised for making off, saying he was sorry.

Ceri Evans, defending, told the Mold court that Lewis; recollection was limited but he had driven off in panic.

He was a managing director whose company employed eight people and he had recently bought out another managing director.

Lewis ran a private company and was also surveyor, sales manager and project manager and normally drove between 30,000 and 40,000 miles a year.

He appreciated that he would receive a driving ban and he would have to employ someone to drive him.