Matthew SparkesA Norwich man has been banned from driving after forcing a police car to swerve out of his way on New Year's Eve.Matthew Sparkes

A Norwich man has been banned from driving after forcing a police car to swerve out of his way on New Year's Eve.

Self-employed carpenter Mark Blamey crossed the white central line while driving his Citroen van along Hall Road, in the city, at 9.30pm.

A police car heading in the other direction had to swerve to avoid a collision, Norwich Magistrates' Court heard yesterday .

Police chased after the vehicle and pulled it over, but when they approached on foot it started to reverse and an officer had to snatch the keys from the ignition.

Oliver Haswell, prosecuting, said that officers had taken 'some time' to bring the vehicle to a halt, despite using their flashing lights.

Blamey, 52, swore at officers and refused to give a breathalyser sample on the roadside, or later at the police station.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to give a sample and to one charge of driving without an MOT.

Rebecca Wastall, mitigating, said that Blamey, of Goldwell Road, Lakenham, had believed that if he refused to give a sample, then a doctor would be called to take one instead.

She said the scenario would be 'quite bleak' for Blamey's business if he could not drive and that he would have 'significant difficulties' in earning a living.

District judge Philip Browning banned Blamey from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay a �400 fine, costs of �100 and a �15 surcharge.