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A boozy van driver got behind the wheel after a McDonald’s drive-thru turned him away on foot, a court heard.

Edward Patrick Andrew McEvney, 31, drove to the fast food restaurant in his white Peugeot boxer van for a late night meal.

But police officers were called after an employee spotted him in an “intoxicated” state, TeessideLive reports.

He had been staying at a Premier Inn hotel in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees while working in the area when the incident unfolded in nearby Wolviston.

After being arrested in January he refused to provide a specimen of blood for analysis as he "doesn't like needles”, Teesside Magistrates' Court heard on Monday.

McEvney, of Buxburn, Scotland pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis on January 19.

He was handed a 36-month driving ban and ordered to pay £439 in fines and costs.

Rachel Dodsworth, prosecuting, said he had driven into the parking bay and was sat in the driver's seat with a passenger when police arrived.

She said officers were called at around 11.25pm and he appeared "intoxicated" and smelt of "intoxicating liquor".

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A screening test had been performed at the scene and McEvney was arrested.

While he was being arrested he said, “I was stupid”, the court was told.

There was an error on the machine so the test was rendered unreliable and he was asked to follow the blood procedure, magistrates heard.

But he refused to provide a blood sample, claiming he "doesn't like needles" and family members were "heroin addicts".

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He has previous convictions including failing to provide a specimen and drink driving.

Nick Woodhouse, defending, said he had walked from the hotel and tried to order food at the window, but was told he must be in a vehicle.

He said: "Because he'd had a drink, he hadn't thought it through and got into the car and ordered food."

At the police station he refused to give a blood sample "because he doesn't like needles”, Mr Woodhouse said.

The court heard he works up and down the country and at the time was working at the chemical plant in Billingham.

Mr Woodhouse said he will keep his job despite inevitably losing his driving license.

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