A MAN seen driving a moped with his left leg in plaster was later found to be more than four times the legal drink drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard Graham Haynes, 33, made frantic attempts to avoid arrest but was undone when his moped got stuck in the mud, he fell off and had to be helped up by police.

Haynes, of Angle Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, without insurance or licence and failing to stop when required by a police officer. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Passing sentence the chairman of the magistrates said various aspects of the case aggravated the others.

"You were four times the limit, not wearing a helmet, riding on footpaths to try and get away from the police and with a broken leg that was in plaster," said the chairman. "These are very serious matters."

Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said police spotted Haynes riding the moped at 12.10 am.

"When he saw the officers he made off along a footpath," said Mrs Yates. "He came onto Colne Road and drove straight at an officer who struck him with his baton to stop him driving into him."

Haynes rode off onto Heald Road, which is a dead end, and then onto a muddy path.

"The bike stuck in the mud and he overbalanced and fell into the mud," said Mrs Yates. "He couldn't get up because of his broken leg and the police had to help him up."

Mark Williams, defending, said it was as "spectacular" case of drink driving. He said Haynes had been at a cousin's drinking and at some stage decided to drive the moped home.

"I find it astonishing that he was able to control the motorbike given the state he was in," said Mr Williams. "When he eventually fell off he couldn't get up without the help of the police."