A drink-driver was so drunk at the wheel of his car he had to be wheeled around in a wheelchair after being arrested for punching a man whose van he'd rammed.

Scaffolder Benjamin Beesley, 32, of Tolgus Hill, Redruth appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court yesterday for sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and assault by beating.

Magistrates were told that on Wednesday, June 28 last year at the Hillhead Roundabout, Falmouth, Beesley was travelling along the A39 in his car.

As a van containing three people, including Barry Jarvis the victim of the assault, approached the roundabout they saw Beesley’s vehicle stopped over two lanes.

They managed to pass it and had only travelled a short distance when they felt Beesley’s vehicle ram them from behind with such force that the van veered left mounting the nearside verge. It ended up being written off.

“Beesley’s car came to a stop on the verge a short distance ahead,” said the prosecution. “Mr Barry Jarvis got out of his vehicle and attempted to try and take some pictures, at which point, Beesley got out of his car and struck him, knocking his mobile phone from his hand.

“He then hit him again to the face and neck area knocking him to the floor.”

Another man got out of the van and there was a brief confrontation involving pushing from both before ending up with the man on his backside on the road.

Beesley then stumbled off towards the Hillhead roundabout and out of view.

The police found him nearby and he was said to be extremely drunk, slurring his words saying to them “I’m pissed”.

He was arrested and searched and two bags containing 0.24 grammes of cocaine were found. He was taken to hospital where he was so drunk he couldn’t stand and had to be pushed around in a wheelchair. He was so drunk he was incapable of providing a breathalyser test.

Beesley told magistrates that it was a “silly mistake” and he just wanted to apologise. “There was a lot going on in my life at the time but it doesn’t make any of this acceptable,” he said.

A verbal report given by a probation officer said Beesley had fallen out with his ex-partner and decided stupidly to go out for a drink and even more stupidly get into his car.

“He tells me he shouldn’t have done it and he wished he hadn’t but obviously he did and he was quite upset and not really thinking right due to the argument with his former partner,” said the probation officer.

“He had been the subject of a serious assault before and when he saw a figure running towards him he lashed out and tried to get away. For this he is truly sorry and would like to apologise for any harm caused to the victim.”

For all three offences Beesley was given a 12-month community order with up to ten rehabilitation days and 180 hours of unpaid work that must be completed within the 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs, a surcharge of £114 and £100 compensation to Mr Jarvis.

He was disqualified from driving for 20 months.