A Felixstowe man who legged it from police after being pulled over for suspected drunk driving has finally appeared in court.

Ionel Gisca took off after being stopped by police not far from his Rendlesham Road home and asked to supply a breath sample. Police caught him but he refused twice more to blow into the breathalyser.

38-year-old Gisca then failed to appear in court, claiming he could not get back from Romania due to Covid-19 restrictions and was arrested under warrant to appear at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Gisca pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis and was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £833.

Police were alerted when a motorist flagged down police and reported Gisca's erratic manner of driving in Grange Farm Avenue, at 10.30pm on March 8.

Prosecutor Lesla Small old the court: "They informed the officer that the vehicle had been swerving across the road," added Ms Small, who said Gisca's vehicle was followed for a short distance and stopped by the officer, who requested a roadside breath test from the driver.

"He was told the consequences of failing to provide a specimen. At that point, the defendant ran down Rendlesham Road.

"The officer chased after the defendant and restrained him. He was asked to provide a breath specimen and refused by saying 'no'.

"He was arrested for failing to provide a specimen. Again, refusal was given at the police station."

Gisca had been due to appear at court on May 9, but the hearing was twice adjourned until July 27, when he failed to turn up and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Duty solicitor, John Hughes told the court Gisca had never been in trouble before and had run away from the officer in panic.

Mr Hughes added Gisca had travelled to Romania between being charged and summonsed, but was caught up with issues regarding coronavirus and unable to return until three weeks ago.

"The dates he was sent to attend court were, I assume, while he was away. It would appear the warrant was issued before he returned. Having returned, he surrendered himself to a police station."